deal more productively with criticism

I’ve made a lot of headway in not taking things so personally. Room for improvement, but this is a long, slow project.

Let’s just take a step back. No, I was wrong, I’m sorry, take a step forward. Now, take a step back. Step forward. Back. And then we’re cha-cha-ing!

My boyfriend and I figured out that for him, “nagging” is an expression of caring, and he actually feels kind of neglected if I don’t nag him. Whereas I cannot stand to be reminded to do the things that I know I need to do. I don’t see the point. I just want heaps of unqualified affection, and then I can do it on my own. I think it’s just a different angle of approach.

I’d like to evaluate criticism more objectively, and determine whether it’s constructive or destructive, and whether there’s any merit to it or not, before I accept or reject it, instead of reacting automatically.