Although many don't like to admit it, we make a tremendous number of judgments each day. These initial negative judgments help us feel safe, make sense of the world, and offer internal control over situations and people. Inherently, there is nothing wrong with judging; being decisive, making declarations, and envisioning potential outcomes can enhance your ability to function effectively. So why do so many health, spiritual, and scientific-minded people advise against being judgmental?

There is a difference between forming an opinion through objective reasoning and fairness—that's making a judgment. However, forming critical and negative opinions without sufficient evidence or based on bias, stereotypes, or preconceived notions—that is being judgmental.