Thoughtful criticism is like having good feedback. It should not be hard to receive that. It starts becoming hard when there are ulterior motives or when the criticism actually isn’t valid but getting a lot of attention. Most constructive feedback is actually best shared in private as well.
There is time for private feedback (before publication) and time for public feedback/discussion (after)
Shouldn’t be hard but still can be. It’s like misinterpreting signs of interest from someone until that conversation on the elevator ride down after work on a Friday. Thoughtful, private, polite, direct and final.