Katrina Kaif on self-doubt, criticism and staying true to yourself amid online trolling: ‘Would have been paralysed with fear’

Katrina Kaif, recently in the UK for the anniversary of her cosmetics brand, shared insights into dealing with self-doubt and online criticism. She stressed the importance of not allowing the overwhelming opinions on social media to dictate one's self-worth. Katrina remarked, 'If every time I faced critiques or comments, I let that dictate my actions, I think I would have been paralyzed with fear and unable to move ahead in my life.'

This sentiment echoes the psychological impact of trolling, as explained by Dr. Munia Bhattacharya, a Senior Consultant Psychologist. She advises against engaging with trolls, suggesting a pause to evaluate whether responding will benefit oneself or merely fuel a stranger's sense of accomplishment. Dr. Bhattacharya also emphasizes the need to distinguish constructive feedback from mere vitriol, stating that while the latter can be ignored, the former can serve as a tool for growth.

She suggests separating the individual's actions from the perceived self-worth, reminding that external opinions do not define one's worth.