Why Writing Your One-Star Review Is the Wake-Up Call You Need
Get real with yourself. Discover how writing a brutally honest one-star review can uncover blind spots, spark growth, and transform your life.
Ever wondered what your life would look like if you reviewed it like a disappointing product on Amazon? Brutal honesty can sting… but it can also save you.
We’re so used to assessing everyone else—leaving reviews for businesses, commenting on social media, providing feedback at work. But when was the last time you turned the spotlight on yourself? Writing your one-star review is the ultimate self-assessment tool. It’s unfiltered, raw… and that’s precisely why it works. If you’re not willing to be honest with yourself, how are you going to improve?
How I Stumbled on the One-Star Review Concept
A few years back, I read Bradley Charbonneau’s How to Write Your Worst Book Ever. The concept of giving yourself a one-star review? That sat with me as the main lesson, and it’s genius—forcing you to step outside yourself and assess your life, your habits, your work… without the sugar-coating.
It reminded me of something I tell my WordPress clients all the time: reviews are gold. I advise them to always be gathering reviews and feedback.
And so, that gave me the incentive to leave reviews and feedback for the services and offers I take advantage of. But what happens when they’re not all five-star?
When it comes to services that aren’t always stellar, I try to be critical but constructive in my opinions. I make sure to explain how I arrived at my not-so-happy-client conclusion. Honest feedback with a purpose.
The One-Star Review
The beauty of the one-star review is that it’s for your eyes only… or for those, you trust with your life. It allows you to give yourself constructive criticism in a way that you wouldn’t normally get.
It’s an opportunity to make the pivots and turns you may need to move to the next season or step of your journey.
But you need to be brutally honest. No holds barred. Firm, but gentle.
This exercise is designed to step outside your perspective and examine your journey, habits, and choices. It’s not about self-loathing or being overly harsh, but rather about seeing the big picture—who you are and where you’re falling short.
By forcing yourself to see your flaws, you’ll get a better idea of what to improve. It’s a humbling process, to say the least.
Key Benefits of Writing a One-Star Review for Yourself
The goal is to foster accountability and recognize where you may be dropping the ball. It forces you to face parts of yourself you might otherwise ignore or justify away.
You’ll uncover blind spots—habits or mindsets holding you back, whether by playing small or not showing up at all. Here’s what makes it powerful:
- Fosters accountability
- Encourages honest reflection
- Highlights blind spots
- Boosts self-improvement
How to Structure Your Review
When writing your self-evaluation, treat it like you would any other online review or testimonial—but with a deeper level of honesty. Include the things you wouldn’t normally say out loud. Be thorough, but don’t ramble.
1. Headline (One-Star Summary)
Example: “A Disappointing Performance from Someone with Great Potential.”
2. Opening Statement
Write a short assessment of your overall performance in life, work, or a specific area (e.g., relationships, personal growth, career).
Example: “Lee has failed to meet her expectations and has a habit of procrastination because of perfectionism that leads to self-sabotage.”
3. Highlight Weaknesses
Be real about what’s not working for you.
Example: “Her reliance on comfort zones and poor time management often lead to a lack of proper follow-through.”
4. Acknowledge Missed Opportunities
Identify times when you could have done better but didn’t.
Example: “Despite having several opportunities to take risks and learn lessons through failure, she chose the less challenging, safer path.”
5. Offer Constructive Criticism
While it’s a review, provide actionable ways to improve.
Example: “It’s frustrating to see so much untapped potential going to waste.”
Why the “One-Star Review” Stands Out as a Concept
It sucks to stare at your shortcomings in black and white, on paper, in all their glory. But this isn’t about beating yourself up—it’s about creating accountability.
Here’s the truth: that one-star review isn’t the end of the story. It’s the start of a new chapter. The point isn’t to stay stuck in criticism; it’s to work toward redemption.
So grab a notebook (or open a doc), take a deep breath, and get real with yourself. The journey from one star to five stars starts with honesty.
What’s your one-star headline going to say?