--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have been criticizing yourself for…" description: "\"You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.\" — Louise Hay" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/380/louise-hay-598_criticize_you-have-been-criticizing-yourself-for-y_1216176.jpg" --- # You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn't… ![“You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” quote by Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/380/louise-hay-598_criticize_you-have-been-criticizing-yourself-for-y_1216176.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/380/louise-hay-598_criticize_you-have-been-criticizing-yourself-for-y_1216176.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/380/louise-hay-598_criticize_you-have-been-criticizing-yourself-for-y_1216176.jpg) > “You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑approval replaces self‑criticism, leading to healthier mental patterns and personal growth. **In simple terms:** Approve yourself instead of criticizing. Key Takeaway Practice self‑approval daily. Themes self‑love self‑acceptance mental health personal development Mood gentle encouraging Type self‑help motivational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - daily journaling - coaching - stress management Key Concepts cognitive restructuring affirmations mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What would self‑approval look like for you? - How can you gently shift from criticism to acceptance? A Different Perspective Self‑approval may be difficult without confronting deep insecurities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Self criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-criticism/) ## Related quotes > [“Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/remember-you-have-been-criticizing-yourself-for-years-and-it-hasn-t/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“You've been criticising yourself for years and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/you-ve-been-criticising-yourself-for-years-and-it-hasn-t-worked-try/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [In the Communist Party, we address problems very openly and sometimes very vocally, and we point out abuses. This is a good thing. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nguyen-minh-triet/in-the-communist-party-we-address-problems-very-openly-and-sometimes/) [Nguyen Minh Triet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nguyen-minh-triet/) > [All I'm arguing for really is that we should have a conversation where the best ideas really thrive, where there's no taboo against criticizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/all-i-m-arguing-for-really-is-that-we-should-have-a-conversation/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [Try approving of yourself just as you are, and spoiling yourself rotten with small kid's pleasures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-cameron/try-approving-of-yourself-just-as-you-are-and-spoiling-yourself/) [Julia Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-cameron/) > [I was really inspired by lots of people I came across who were managing various illnesses through diet and lifestyle. I kind of figured,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-woodward/i-was-really-inspired-by-lots-of-people-i-came-across-who-were/) [Ella Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-woodward/) > [I really worked to try and be creative enough on the guitar parts so those who aren't real educated would know that there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/i-really-worked-to-try-and-be-creative-enough-on-the-guitar-parts-so/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [It is the West that has liberated women, racial minorities, religious minorities, and gays and lesbians, recognizing and defending their rights. The notions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-warraq/it-is-the-west-that-has-liberated-women-racial-minorities-religious/) [Ibn Warraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-warraq/) > [When self-doubt creeps in, don't ignore it - address it. Respond to harsh self-criticism with something more compassionate. Talk to yourself like a trusted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/when-self-doubt-creeps-in-don-t-ignore-it-address-it-respond-to-harsh/) [Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/) > [One should never criticize his own work except in a fresh and hopeful mood. The self-criticism of a tired mind is suicide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-horton-cooley/one-should-never-criticize-his-own-work-except-in-a-fresh-and-hopeful/) [Charles Horton Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-horton-cooley/) > [One who accepts criticism gracefully is genuinely interested in self improvement.One who is willing to excel accept constructive criticism by his core of heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/one-who-accepts-criticism-gracefully-is-genuinely-interested-in-self/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [I've been as critically rubbished as acclaimed and the worst thing about that is that it usually plays into your own self-criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-ward/i-ve-been-as-critically-rubbished-as-acclaimed-and-the-worst-thing/) [Rachel Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-ward/) > [“Lo! we are diseased and dying, cried the dark hosts; we cannot write, our voting is vain; what need of education, since we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois-2/lo-we-are-diseased-and-dying-cried-the-dark-hosts-we-cannot-write-our/) [W.E.B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois-2/) > [As there must be moderation in other things, so there must be moderation in self-criticism. Perpetual contemplation of our own actions produces a morbid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/as-there-must-be-moderation-in-other-things-so-there-must-be/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [“Inside Critics The critical voices in our own heads are far more vicious than what we might hear from the outside. Our "inside critics"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-ariel-rainbow-kennedy-sark/inside-critics-the-critical-voices-in-our-own-heads-are-far-more/) [Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy (SARK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-ariel-rainbow-kennedy-sark/) ## More by Louise Hay > [If I want to be loved as I am, I have to be willing to love others as they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/if-i-want-to-be-loved-as-i-am-i-have-to-be-willing-to-love-others-as/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [Meditation is really just quieting yourself enough so you can get in touch with your own inner wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/meditation-is-really-just-quieting-yourself-enough-so-you-can-get-in/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [Look in the mirror and tell yourself how wonderful you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/look-in-the-mirror-and-tell-yourself-how-wonderful-you-are/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [I release all criticism. I only give out that which I wish to receive in return. My love and acceptance of others is mirrored…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-release-all-criticism-i-only-give-out-that-which-i-wish-to-receive/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [Love is acceptance - accepting people as they are. Just acceptance and caring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/love-is-acceptance-accepting-people-as-they-are-just-acceptance-and/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [People have one of two extreme reactions to my book. They either throw it across the room, or they rush out and buy 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/people-have-one-of-two-extreme-reactions-to-my-book-they-either-throw/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [Love who and what you are and what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/love-who-and-what-you-are-and-what-you-do/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [I am a beautiful flower that is blossoming more and more each day. I delight in my world, and my world delights in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-am-a-beautiful-flower-that-is-blossoming-more-and-more-each-day-i/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [I have a thorough understanding of nutrition, and I feed my body only foods that support health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-have-a-thorough-understanding-of-nutrition-and-i-feed-my-body-only/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [Each day is a start of a new adventure, and I eagerly look forward to today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/each-day-is-a-start-of-a-new-adventure-and-i-eagerly-look-forward-to/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [The door to my heart opens inward. I move through forgiveness to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/the-door-to-my-heart-opens-inward-i-move-through-forgiveness-to-love/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [I now stop feeling guilty. I let myself out of that prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-now-stop-feeling-guilty-i-let-myself-out-of-that-prison/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [If you eat one less candy bar or donut a day, you're doing your body some good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/if-you-eat-one-less-candy-bar-or-donut-a-day-you-re-doing-your-body/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [Today is a new day. Today is a day for you to begin creating a joyous, fulfilling life. Today is the day to begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/today-is-a-new-day-today-is-a-day-for-you-to-begin-creating-a-joyous/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [I am willing to learn how to take good care of my body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-am-willing-to-learn-how-to-take-good-care-of-my-body/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) [Explore all 452 Louise Hay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) ## More Criticize quotes > [When I passed the Chancellor he arose, waved his hand at me, and I waved back at him. I think the writers showed bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/when-i-passed-the-chancellor-he-arose-waved-his-hand-at-me-and-i/) [Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/) > [Lavish praise on people and people will flourish; criticize people and they'll shrivel up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/lavish-praise-on-people-and-people-will-flourish-criticize-people-and/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [You can criticize Trump and his wealth all day long, but you can't say he hasn't worked. You can say that about the Clintons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/you-can-criticize-trump-and-his-wealth-all-day-long-but-you-can-t-say/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Those who lack the confidence and esteem to make the decisions that they need to make for themselves, are usually the same ones who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-who-lack-the-confidence-and-esteem-to-make-the-decisions-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The privilege of prayer to me is one of the most cherished possessions, because faith and experience alike convince me that God himself sees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilfred-grenfell/the-privilege-of-prayer-to-me-is-one-of-the-most-cherished/) [Wilfred Grenfell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilfred-grenfell/) > [We are all too keenly aware that those of you who supported us by purchasing the 3DS in the beginningmay feel betrayed and criticize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satoru-iwata/we-are-all-too-keenly-aware-that-those-of-you-who-supported-us-by/) [Satoru Iwata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satoru-iwata/) > [Woody Allen is a genius. His films are wonderful. He's poetic, but he's also a critic. He artfully steps back from a social setting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-brooks/woody-allen-is-a-genius-his-films-are-wonderful-he-s-poetic-but-he-s/) [Mel Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-brooks/) > [Men can be divided into 2 groups: one that goes ahead and achieves something, and one that comes after and criticizes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/men-can-be-divided-into-2-groups-one-that-goes-ahead-and-achieves/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [If you don't allow people to contribute, to offer their point of view, or to criticize what has been put before them, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/if-you-don-t-allow-people-to-contribute-to-offer-their-point-of-view/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [There's plenty to criticize about the mass media, but they are the source of regular information about a wide range of topics. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-plenty-to-criticize-about-the-mass-media-but-they-are-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/when-we-criticize-in-iran-the-actions-of-the-government-the/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [When I first prepared this particular talk... I realized that my usual approach is usually critical. That is, a lot of the things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kay/when-i-first-prepared-this-particular-talk-i-realized-that-my-usual/) [Alan Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kay/) Browse all 1,182 Criticize quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn't worked. 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