I think my life is relatively criticism-free, but no one is immune. I think the more passionate you are about what you do the more criticism stings.
Here are some of my personal "criticism rules."
First, criticism is a fact of life. The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing! Abraham Lincoln said, "You can please all of the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you can't please all the people all the time." I think that is most true of pastors and politicians!
Second, criticism can be a good goad. It forces us to look in the mirror. Even if the criticism is given in the wrong spirit it can force me to examine my motives. Here is the Scripture test. Erwin McManus said, "Don't let an arrow pierce your heart unless it first passes through the filter of Scripture." If it passes the Scripture test then I needed the rebuke. If it doesn't pass through the filter it reinforces my convictions. Either way I win if I handle it the right way!
I don't relish criticism. But I certainly don't want to live a "criticism free" life because it means I'm not doing anything to warrant any kind of criticism!