--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Remember, you have been criticizing…" description: "\"“Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”\" — Louise L. Hay" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/293/louise-l-hay-16007_approval_remember-you-have-been-criticizing-yours_2487555.jpg" --- # Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and… ![“Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” quote by Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/293/louise-l-hay-16007_approval_remember-you-have-been-criticizing-yours_2487555.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/293/louise-l-hay-16007_approval_remember-you-have-been-criticizing-yours_2487555.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/293/louise-l-hay-16007_approval_remember-you-have-been-criticizing-yours_2487555.jpg) > ““Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”” [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-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‑criticism is ineffective; self‑approval can foster positive change. **In simple terms:** Stop criticizing yourself; try approving yourself. Key Takeaway Practice self‑approval daily. Themes self‑compassion growth mindset Mood hopeful motivational Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - therapy - journaling - personal development Key Concepts Psychology self‑help Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance self‑approval with realistic self‑assessment? - What small steps will you take to nurture yourself? A Different Perspective Self‑approval alone may not address underlying issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval/) [Criticizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticizing/) [Criticizing Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticizing-years-931150/) [Positive thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-thoughts/) [Remember Criticizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-criticizing-931149/) [Self compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-compassion/) [Self criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-criticism/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Try Approving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-approving-931151/) [Worked Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worked-try-931152/) ## Related quotes > [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-hay/you-have-been-criticizing-yourself-for-years-and-it-hasn-t-worked-try/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-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/) > [We all have the tendency to believe self-doubt and self-criticism, but listening to this voice never gets us closer to our goals. Instead, try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgonigal/we-all-have-the-tendency-to-believe-self-doubt-and-self-criticism-but/) [Kelly McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgonigal/) > [“Ironically, harsh self-criticism seems to create an inner rebelliousness that makes us want to give up on our healthy goals. Self-compassion acknowledges the reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-greenberg/ironically-harsh-self-criticism-seems-to-create-an-inner/) [Melanie Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-greenberg/) > [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/) > [“Being cut off from our own natural self-compassion is one of the greatest impairments we can suffer. Along with our ability to feel our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/being-cut-off-from-our-own-natural-self-compassion-is-one-of-the/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [“Our deepest wounds are often invisible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-e-smith/our-deepest-wounds-are-often-invisible/) [Laurie E. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-e-smith/) > [You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bindi-irwin/you-don-t-need-to-be-accepted-by-others-you-need-to-accept-yourself/) [Bindi Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bindi-irwin/) > [To make yourself magnificent practice self compassion. Having self compassion means to honor and accept your own respectable self being. Self compassion is having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumar-sinha/to-make-yourself-magnificent-practice-self-compassion-having-self/) [Anil Kumar Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumar-sinha/) > [“There will be days when light feels far. But still — your heart will rise, your breath will steady, and hope will find you again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roche-uccello/there-will-be-days-when-light-feels-far-but-still-your-heart-will/) [Roche Uccello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roche-uccello/) > [“set up an appointment with yourself in the morning, during a busy work schedule, or at night to find a quiet space and practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-owens/set-up-an-appointment-with-yourself-in-the-morning-during-a-busy-work/) [Sarah Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-owens/) > [“Mental health professionals have their own blocks, distraction, prejudices, and cultural upbringing, all of which color the work that they do, no matter how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-e-smith/mental-health-professionals-have-their-own-blocks-distraction/) [Laurie E. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-e-smith/) > [“The love you share with yourself pays immediate and lifelong dividends of peace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-leigh-mercree/the-love-you-share-with-yourself-pays-immediate-and-lifelong/) [Amy Leigh Mercree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-leigh-mercree/) ## More by Louise L. Hay > [“If I want to be accepted as I am, then I need to be willing to accept others as they are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/if-i-want-to-be-accepted-as-i-am-then-i-need-to-be-willing-to-accept/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“I forgive you for not being the way I wanted you to be. I forgive you and I set you free.” This”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/i-forgive-you-for-not-being-the-way-i-wanted-you-to-be-i-forgive-you/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [You should breathe deeply and chant, 'Money will easily and effortlessly flow into my life' as often as you can every day. Things will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/you-should-breathe-deeply-and-chant-money-will-easily-and/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“Please realize that every complaint is an affirmation of something you think you don’t want in your life. Every time you get angry, you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/please-realize-that-every-complaint-is-an-affirmation-of-something/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“I am in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/i-am-in-the-right-place-at-the-right-time-doing-the-right-thing/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“Everything I need to know is revealed to me.” “Everything I need comes to me.” “All is well in my life.” There”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/everything-i-need-to-know-is-revealed-to-me-everything-i-need-comes/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [I believe we create our own lives. And we create it by our thinking, feeling patterns in our belief system. I think we're all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/i-believe-we-create-our-own-lives-and-we-create-it-by-our-thinking/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“LOVING THE SELF. I find that when we really love and accept and APPROVE OF OURSELVES EXACTLY AS WE ARE, then everything in life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/loving-the-self-i-find-that-when-we-really-love-and-accept-and/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“I am not a healer, i do not heal anyone,i juzt think of my self-discovery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/i-am-not-a-healer-i-do-not-heal-anyone-i-juzt-think-of-my-self/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“Love is the great miracle cure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/love-is-the-great-miracle-cure/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“Love is everywhere, and I am loving and lovable,” and to hold on to that new affirmation and to repeat it often, then it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/love-is-everywhere-and-i-am-loving-and-lovable-and-to-hold-on-to-that/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“If we want a joyous life, we must think joyous thoughts. Whatever we send out mentally or verbally will come back to us in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/if-we-want-a-joyous-life-we-must-think-joyous-thoughts-whatever-we/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“You forgive that person and then you release them. Taking a stand and setting healthy boundaries is often the most loving thing you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/you-forgive-that-person-and-then-you-release-them-taking-a-stand-and/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“Loving the self, to me, begins with never ever criticizing ourselves for anything. Criticism locks us into the very pattern we are trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/loving-the-self-to-me-begins-with-never-ever-criticizing-ourselves-2/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) > [“The mental thought patterns that cause the most dis-ease in the body are CRITICISM, ANGER, RESENTMENT and GUILT. For instance, criticism indulged in long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-l-hay/the-mental-thought-patterns-that-cause-the-most-dis-ease-in-the-body/) [Louise L. Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) [Explore all 38 Louise L. Hay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-l-hay/) ## More Approval quotes > [Anyone who's read my 'Terror in the Skies' series knows that I have not been writing with an eye toward approval from any government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-jacobsen/anyone-who-s-read-my-terror-in-the-skies-series-knows-that-i-have-not/) [Annie Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-jacobsen/) > [we need not avoid our active lives, but simply bring to them a new vision and shift of gravity. for in the center we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/we-need-not-avoid-our-active-lives-but-simply-bring-to-them-a-new/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [Lean too much on the approval of people, and it becomes a bed of thorns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tehyi-hsieh/lean-too-much-on-the-approval-of-people-and-it-becomes-a-bed-of-thorns/) [Tehyi Hsieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tehyi-hsieh/) > [But I always reassure them that as far as my contractual rights can go, I will protect them and make sure that they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-roach/but-i-always-reassure-them-that-as-far-as-my-contractual-rights-can/) [Jay Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-roach/) > [Growing up in that fashion is a breeding ground for insecurity and doubt; it also leaves you questioning motives. It took me a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-runyon/growing-up-in-that-fashion-is-a-breeding-ground-for-insecurity-and/) [Damon Runyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-runyon/) > [A year ago, my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the supreme court had just withdrawn, and my vice president had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/a-year-ago-my-approval-rating-was-in-the-30s-my-nominee-for-the/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [These days people are mean to people just because they don't like the way they look. No-one should be hated because of their flaws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/these-days-people-are-mean-to-people-just-because-they-don-t-like-the/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I got this emptiness inside that got me fighting for approval because I missed out on my daddy saying, Way to Go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lecrae/i-got-this-emptiness-inside-that-got-me-fighting-for-approval-because/) [Lecrae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lecrae/) > [My dad taught me swears when I was a toddler, and I saw, at a really early age, that if I shocked people, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/my-dad-taught-me-swears-when-i-was-a-toddler-and-i-saw-at-a-really/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [If torture is going to be administered as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/if-torture-is-going-to-be-administered-as-a-last-resort-in-the/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [Comedy is a very approval-oriented field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-chappelle/comedy-is-a-very-approval-oriented-field/) [Dave Chappelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-chappelle/) > [Whenever you are too worried about someone else's approval, that person loses respect for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-argov/whenever-you-are-too-worried-about-someone-else-s-approval-that/) [Sherry Argov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-argov/) > [Pleasure is Nature's test, her sign of approval.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/pleasure-is-nature-s-test-her-sign-of-approval/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Do you really mean the only reason you try to be good is to gain God's approval and reward? That's not morality, that's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/do-you-really-mean-the-only-reason-you-try-to-be-good-is-to-gain-god/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) [Browse all 904 Approval quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Louise L. 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