Self-recrimination

Self-recrimination refers to the act of blaming oneself for one’s own faults, mistakes, or failures. It is a psychological state where an individual engages in inner dialogue filled with guilt, regret, and self-criticism, often leading to a cycle of negative thoughts and emotional distress.

Self-recrimination meaning with examples

• After forgetting her best friend's birthday, Emily was consumed by self-recrimination, constantly replaying the moment in her mind and wishing she could turn back time. She felt deep remorse and found it difficult to engage with others, trapped by her own guilt.
• Despite achieving great success at work, John couldn't escape the self-recrimination regarding his unfulfilled personal life. He often pondered over missed opportunities, feeling as though he was a failure in balancing career and family, which led to profound feelings of sadness.
• The athlete's self-recrimination was evident after losing a crucial match. He berated himself for not practicing harder and letting down his team, drowning in negative thoughts that overshadowed his many achievements and threatened to undermine his confidence for future competitions.
• Following the fallout of a poorly made decision, Sarah's self-recrimination took a toll on her mental well-being. Each passing day was marked by her relentless internal dialogue of 'if only' and 'what if,' which made it hard for her to look forward and embrace new possibilities.