11.01.2026
In response to Sadje:https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/my-prompts-2/
Responding to Criticism: What Time Taught Me
When I was younger, criticism felt like an attack.
My first instinct was defensiveness — a tightening in the chest, a need to explain myself, to prove I was right.
Time softened that reaction.
Now, I try to pause before responding. I ask myself where the criticism is coming from and how it’s being offered. If it’s rooted in care, curiosity, or concern — even if clumsily expressed — I listen. Not because I think I’m perfect, but because growth doesn’t stop at adulthood.
That doesn’t mean I accept all criticism. Some words are not meant to teach but to wound. When feedback is delivered with cruelty, condescension, or control, I protect my boundaries. Not every opinion deserves a seat at my table.
When it comes to advising loved ones, I’ve learned that tone matters more than truth. I speak when invited, when safety exists, and when my intention is support — not superiority. Love lands better when it isn’t sharpened.
Criticism, at its best, is a mirror — not a weapon.
And wisdom, I’ve found, is knowing the difference.
💫Maggie
The Afterlove Voice 💫
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