From the outset, let us delineate the relationship between negativity and criticism.

Criticism is an umbrella term that describes adjudicating over an action, person or matter. This process can either be negative or positive. The colloquial term for negative criticism is ‘NEGATIVITY’.

Usually, the purveyors of negativity sanitize it as ‘criticism’. Thus, the interrelation between the two must be well appreciated before we delve into the nitty gritty.

During my year-long vacation from virtual social interaction, I learnt that one has control over his environment. Contrarian, I know. If it were not, I would not be sharing this insight with you, gentle reader.

The notion of ‘nature vs nurture’ has long been the gold standard in explaining causality and effect. In other words, they have always said our environment controls us. I have concluded that this is a partial fallacy.

You can control your environment!

Here is an example. Block or delete anyone who spews out NEGATIVITY (as defined above) and see how much positive your outlook on life will become.

These merchants of NEGATIVITY are easy to identify.

Their favourite tactics are:

1. ‘gaslighting’ (psychological manipulation by forcing you to question your sanity),
2. ‘infantilize’ (treating you like a child) and
3. ‘plain negating’ (opposing for the sake of opposing).

The delivery of their ‘criticism’ is harsh, derogatory and egocentric.

If you throw these people out of your life, you will have inadvertently controlled your environment. The people you surround yourself with determine your perspective and approach to life.

Here I am not advocating for one to surround themselves with ‘yes’ men. Nay, quite the opposite.

If you have the DISCIPLINE (Lesson 1) and the CONVICTION (Lesson 2) to define your path, make the extra effort to judge the quality of criticism you receive along your journey.

One sure way to tell whether any criticism is positive or negative is by assessing whether it enhances or obtunds your resolve (discipline) or values (conviction/faith).

You can ‘block’, ‘delete’ or ‘ignore’ any source of NEGATIVITY out of your life.

Control your environment!