Practicing Self Compassion
You have heard that you can’t pour from an empty cup, but what does that truly mean? Giving your self-compassion is an important step in self-care.
Self-compassion isn’t about letting yourself off the hook, it’s about giving yourself the grace to keep going, even when things feel messy. It’s about being the steady, loving presence for yourself that you’ve always been for everyone else. You are a whole person worthy of kindness, rest, and care, no matter what life throws your way.
If you’d like more strategies to build self-compassion and find more peace in your journey, reach out and schedule a session with your therapist.
What is self-compassion?
At its core, self-compassion means treating yourself with the same understanding you’d offer a dear friend or family member. It’s about saying, “I see the whole you. You’re doing your best, and that’s enough.”
Self-compassion is driven by three factors; kindness to self, mindfulness, and a sense of the human experience. Kindness is treating yourself with gentleness, care, and understanding. Mindfulness refers to accurately reflecting on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without overidentifying with them. Lastly, self-compassion is recognizing that a part of humanity is realizing that challenges are a part of the human experience.
Why does this matter?
Because how you treat yourself sets the tone for everything else. When you’re caught in self-criticism or burnout, it’s hard to show up fully for your kids, your relationships, your career, or even yourself. However, when you practice self-compassion, it gives you the strength to navigate life with more ease, resilience, and clarity.
It’s not just a pleasant interlude, the research indicates that self-compassion helps regulate stress, improves emotional balance, and even rewires your brain to handle challenges better.
So how do you start practicing it?
2 Simple Techniques to Try Today
The Mirror Exercise
This one’s a little outside the box, but so powerful! Take a moment to stand in front of a mirror, look yourself in the eyes, and say:
“I love you.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“You’re doing an amazing job.”
At first, it might feel awkward or even emotional, but stick with it. Over time, this practice helps rebuild the way you see yourself, replacing self-doubt with self-acceptance.Pause and Acknowledge
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, pause for just a minute. Take a deep breath and say to yourself:
“This is hard, but I’m here. I’m human, and it’s okay to feel this way.”
Simply naming your feelings and giving yourself permission to feel them can release so much pressure. It’s a way of reminding yourself that you’re not alone and that it’s okay to have tough moments.
Mini-Mantras
Self-Compassion Thought: ‘It’s okay to feel this way. I am human.’
Self-Love Thought: ‘I am worthy of kindness, including my own.’
Self-Confidence Thought: ‘I know more than I give myself credit for.’
Self-Empowerment Thought: ‘I choose to trust myself in this moment.’
Self- Worth Thought: ‘ I am I deserve love as full myself’
Additional meditations can be found on this website (https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-practices/).
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