I agree that people tend to be harder on themselves than on others. We often criticize ourselves because we know our own flaws and mistakes so well. For instance, when we make a mistake, we tend to overanalyze our actions and judge ourselves harshly. However, when we see others make mistakes, we usually offer more empathy and understanding because we know that everyone messes up sometimes. This extra self-criticism often comes from having higher personal standards and a fear of failing. For example, students might feel bad about their academic performance, even if their grades are good, because they’re aiming for perfection. While being self-critical can push us to improve, it can also hurt our self-esteem if we’re not careful.