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How do you learn to receive criticism without becoming defensive?

Whenever I receive critical feedback, even when it is delivered kindly, I feel my body tense up and my mind immediately looks for reasons the other person is wrong. I know this is limiting my growth but I cannot seem to control my defensive reaction. How do you learn to hear criticism openly?
self-improvement criticism defensiveness growth
X xavier_cook 1 December 2025
5,829 views

2 answers
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Accepted Answer
8
Buy yourself time. You do not have to respond immediately. 'Thank you, let me think about that' is a complete response. Your defensive reaction is fastest in the first few seconds. Give yourself space before processing the feedback properly.
C caleb_green 8 December 2025
15
Ask yourself what you would have to believe about yourself for this criticism to be devastating. That belief is usually what you are actually defending. The feedback is hitting a sore spot that was already there.
J james_miller 3 December 2025