The concept of being in charge of our thoughts is often misunderstood. While we can control what we think, we cannot control what we feel. However, it is possible to create a gap between our thoughts and emotions to prevent acting impulsively.
Dr. Joan Rosenberg explains that the foundational aspect of confidence is being able to experience and move through unpleasant emotions, which she defines as the deep sense that you can handle the emotional outcome of whatever you face or pursue.
Speaking a new language helps you gain confidence and self-knowledge through practice and self-discovery. Self-criticism may also be a thought hijack of the unpleasant feelings experienced during the learning process.
The speaker discusses how humans are in charge of what they think but not what they feel, and how it's important to keep a gap between thinking and reacting to emotions.
Self-criticism can lead to depression and suicidal tendencies. Harsh self-criticism is the thing that takes us down to depression and often takes us down to suicidality.