SELF-COMPASSION

SELF-COMPASSION


To my inner critic. I acknowledge your presence and understand that you want me to do my best. I acknowledge that you may be trying to protect me and help me reach my true potential. I acknowledge your difficult job but somehow, I know that I need to extend myself some compassion and understanding too. Instead of listening to your critical voice, I choose to be more gentle with myself and remind myself that I'm doing the best I can with what I have. I can learn from my mistakes and be patient with the process - there's no need to be hard on myself. I'm worthy and deserving of compassion and acceptance, just as I am. 


  • Practice self-compassion in daily life
  • Motivate yourself with kindness 
  • Handle difficult emotions 
  • Transform challenging relationships
  • Manage caregiver fatigue
  • Practice the art of savoring
  • Include self-appreciation


***Below information is provided with permission from the Centre for Mindful Self-Compassion***


MSC is an empirically-supported, 8-week, training program (***note 10 weeks if delivered online) designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding.


The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and balanced, mindful awareness. Kindness opens our hearts to suffering, so we can give ourselves what we need. Common humanity opens us to our essential interrelatedness, so that we know we aren't alone. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease. Together they comprise a state of warm-hearted, connected presence.


Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn't receive enough affection in childhood or who feel uncomfortable when they are good to themselves. It's a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we unwittingly inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-isolation, or self-absorption. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, motivate ourselves with kindness, forgive ourselves when needed, relate wholeheartedly to others, and be more authentically ourselves.


Rapidly expanding research demonstrates that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, less anxiety, depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and satisfying personal relationships. And it’s easier than you think.