“Innocent” leading questions:
“Sorry, but... you call that borscht/dancing/drawing?”
“Are you sure you'll manage? I wouldn't be so sure…”
“Is this really how it's done? It doesn't seem right…”

These questions, presented as simple curiosity, actually plant seeds of doubt and insecurity. They make us question our results, and sometimes even our abilities. And even though they might sound harmless, if these questions come often from people close to us, they begin to undermine our confidence. These leading questions are similar to the ones in the fable about the centipede: once it started thinking about how it walks, it couldn't move anymore.

Direct insults:
“You're such a mess.”
“How can you be so stupid?”
“You're spineless, you’ll never make it!”

This is no longer just commentary about your behavior; it's an attack on your character. Such words are direct insults that question your worth as a person. When expressed subtly through indirect suggestions, they sink into your mind and leave a mark. To protect your self-esteem, it's important to realize that it won't defend itself — you need to protect and stand up for it. Not in everything, but in what matters to you, in what defines your life.

Caring for your own confidence and self-respect is a journey that begins with understanding and protecting what you value.