Reader’s criticism stings young writer
DEAR ABBY: I’m a columnist who writes various news, feature and column stories. The other day, I received my first criticism. A reader chewed me out for challenging their program.
It’s hard being a young writer. Facing criticism for doing my job makes it even harder. I work long hours and pour my life into my work.
After being chewed out, I couldn’t get past it. I suffer from severe anxiety, so everything gets to me. I sit here every day thinking about how I’m not going to let this irritate me anymore, but it still does. How can I let this go? — STRESSED REPORTER
DEAR STRESSED: Criticism goes with the territory. If you think readers are going to fill your inbox with nothing but praise for your efforts every day, you are in the wrong business. The way to get beyond this would be to ask yourself whether the criticism was valid. If it
was, then learn from it. If it wasn’t, realize that by dwelling on negativity, you hurt only yourself.
You should discuss your extreme anxiety with a licensed mental health professional. If you cannot break this self-defeating pattern, consider switching to another kind of writing, because constantly second-guessing yourself will only hold you back in your career.
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