But I have got to be honest, I never have been able to succesful on this one.

My whole life I have been harder on myself than 99% of the people around me.

Anyone have any advice? 

I think that you are right. My advice is to try to see what other people see in you. I think that sometimes we are so hard on ourselves because we need to prove something. Maybe we are insecure and need to be always "on". I am trying to believe in myself more and treat myself with a bit more respect and compassion. If my home isn't just so, or my garden isn't perfectly planted, I remind myself that I am a mother first and foremost and just trying to do my best.

Personally I always do best when I'm more lenient and generous with myself. If you always confront life with a perfectionist mind, you're really never going to please yourself because well, let's face it, nobody is perfect. For the most part I work hard, do the best that I can do, and really never set expectations. Makes it easier to accept the end result.

This, for some reason, reminds me of an art class I took last semester though, the professor was very demanding and hard on us.

 And one day I just suddenly realized that the whole idea of the class was silly anyway, and as the professor would scorn and lecture us for numerous of reasons throughout the semester, all I kept thinking about was just how pointless and senseless it was to even attempt to grade art.

Art is subjective in nature, so yes it is hard to put a grade on it.  I too took an art class, way back when in college.  I think that especially in art, you are either blessed with some talent or not.  I was not a natural artist and my strengths were in more of color and form. 

Learn now my friend, since you are still young and have a chance to be gentle of yourself.  As you get older, you will have bigger challenges and will need to use your energy for those things. 

Life is subjective.  You please one person and piss another off.  Live for yourself and the rest will follow. life is too short-enjoy!!