Compassion more broadly is about an awareness of the distress that other people are experiencing and a desire to help. So, to me, self-compassion is taking that same sentiment and applying it to oneself.
Everyone needs support through their journey in healing and growth. And why shouldn’t that support also come from within?
Think of self-compassion, then, not as a destination, but as a tool in your journey.
Next Steps
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Health Tips
1. Use affirmations to practice self-compassion
Many of us who struggle with self-compassion also struggle with what I often call the shame or self-doubt monster, whose voice can pop up at the most unexpected moments.
With that in mind, I’ve named some very common phrases of the shame monster:
“I’m not good enough.”“I shouldn’t feel this way.”“Why can’t I do things like other people?”“I’m too old to be struggling with these issues.”“I should have [fill in the blank]; I could have [fill in the
blank].”
Just like flexing a muscle or practicing a new skill, cultivating self-compassion requires that we practice “talking back” to this shame monster. With time, the hope is that your internal voice becomes stronger and louder than the voice of self-doubt.
Some examples to try:
“I’m absolutely worthy and divinely deserving.”“I’m allowed to feel however I effing feel — my feelings are valid.”“I’m unique in my own wonderful ways while still sharing sacred
interconnected human experiences with many.”“I’ll never ever be too old (or too much of anything, for that
matter) to continue cultivating curiosities about my own behaviors and spaces
for growth.”“In this moment I am [fill in the blank]; in this moment I feel [fill
in the blank].”
If these don’t feel natural to you, that’s OK! Try opening up a journal and writing some affirmations of your own.
2. Come back to the body
As a somatic therapist who focuses on the mind-body connection, you’ll find that I always invite people to return to their bodies. It’s kind of my thing.
Oftentimes, utilizing drawing or movement as tools for processing can be quite helpful. That’s because they’re allowing us to express ourselves from a space we aren’t always fully conscious of.
With this in mind, gently invite yourself to draw how it felt to feel into the affirmations I offered — perhaps focusing on one that spoke to you deeply. Allow yourself to use any colors that are resonating with you and any medium of creation that’s resonating with you. As you’re doing so, also allow yourself to notice and be curious about how it feels in your body to draw.
Do you notice any areas of tension in your body? Can you try releasing them through your art? How hard or soft are you pressing down with your marker as you’re creating? Can you notice how that feels in your body, and then what it feels like to invite different variations of pressure on the paper?
All of this is information that your body is kind enough to share with you, if you’ll listen. (Yes, I know it sounds a little woo-woo, but you might be surprised by what you find.)
Compassion for self isn’t always the easiest to cultivate, especially when we can often be our own worst critic. So, finding other ways to access our emotions that take us out of the verbal realm can really help.
Whatever it is you’re feeling, no need to judge it. Simply meet yourself wherever you are.
Working toward releasing the judgements and expectations placed upon us by others isn’t easy work, but it’s sacred work. With time it can be a real source of empowerment. You’re healing a wound that many aren’t even aware of; you deserve to celebrate yourself through it all.
With time, as you flex this new muscle, you’ll find that self-compassion is a ready torch, there to lead you through whatever comes your way.