By actively implementing these three life-changing strategies, you can become kinder to yourself and the world around you.
Kristin Neff, PhD, and author of Self-Compassion, has identified the whys and hows of cultivating self-compassion.
In a world that breeds personal dissatisfaction and an endless desire to look or perform better, these three tips may come in handy on a daily basis.
1. Self-kindness: we need to be kind to ourselves. Beating ourselves up is not helpful. The first step is to stop the internal heckling, and replace it with acknowledging statements. Start treating yourself the same way you would treat a dear friend.
Example:
I won't be able to meet these deadlines. Why am I such a failure?
Instead, replace the negative phrase with: I feel unorganized right now. How can I better time-manage this project and do I need to ask for help?
2. Common humanity: we are not alone. It's important to see that our suffering is part of a shared human experience. Self-compassion honors the fact that all human beings are fallible, that wrong choices and feelings of regret are inevitable, no matter how high and mighty one is.
We live in a hyper-comparative society that can make us feel disconnected. Challenge yourself to slow down and feel the sameness. We can then connect through our shared triumphs and failures.
3. Mindfulness: we want to observe our experience. We can learn to hold it in "balanced" awareness without trying to push our pain away or make it a bigger deal than it is.
According to Neff: "Mindfulness refers to the clear seeing and nonjudgmental acceptance of what's occurring in the present moment; facing up to reality."
Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. How we respond to pain determines our level of suffering.
Improve your chances of living the life you deserve by implementing the three components of self-compassion.
Ready to start being kinder to yourself, and others, today?
Want to learn more? Read the full article here: https://experiencelife.com/article/cultivate-self-compassion/
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