The brain is naturally wired to remember pain, threats, and criticism more strongly than praise. This evolved to help humans survive by spotting danger quickly.
The amygdala, a key emotional centre, becomes highly active during negative experiences, signalling the hippocampus to store these memories deeply.
Positive moments trigger less activity, so compliments often fade faster. This is called the negativity bias—one negative event can outweigh several positive ones. While this bias once protected us, today it can fuel anxiety and overthinking.
Thankfully, through neuroplasticity, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Matrix Reimprinting can be powerful tools for addressing and clearing issues stemming from insults, whether they are verbal attacks or subtle criticisms.
With EFT, individuals tap on acupressure points while verbally acknowledging the hurt or shame caused by these insults, allowing them to release built-up emotional energy and stress associated with the experiences.
This tapping process helps to rewire the body’s stress response, making it easier to confront past wounds. Matrix Reimprinting takes it a step further by enabling individuals to visualise and recontextualise the memories linked to those insults, transforming how they perceive those experiences.
By reframing these emotional narratives, one can diminish the negative impact insults have on self-esteem and personal identity, fostering greater self-acceptance and resilience. Together, these techniques empower individuals to free themselves from the emotional weight of past insults and move toward a more positive and confident self-image.
Sources: Baumeister et al. (2001); Cleveland Clinic (2023); Psychology Today (2023).