The gift of self-compassion

The holidays are around the corner – the time to show love and appreciation to the people you care about. And for many it is also the time to let go and forgive those, who may have done you wrong. But what are planning to do for yourself this holiday season? If you are your own worst critic, never considering yourself as good enough or if you are taking all your efforts and accomplishments for granted, it may be time for you to learn about self-compassion. Although it doesn’t really make sense that the one person you will definitively spend every moment of the rest of your life with gets treated the worst, self-compassion seems for many people an unimaginable concept. Some see self-compassion as self-pity others consider it as self-indulgence. However, the truth is that self-compassion is one of the most powerful inner resources for change and healing. Studies have shown that self-compassion can help overcome anxiety and depression, build our emotional coping skills and improve relationships with others. The question is, how can you become more self-compassionate, especially when you have been struggling with low self-worth?

Here are a few keys, which I will expand further on in my upcoming radio interview:

Shift your awareness on yourself
We share most of our energy and focus with the world around us, which is one of the reasons why we can lose touch with ourselves. Through meditation, journaling or “the 6 minutes to reconnect” exercise, which I will share in the interview, you can bring yourself back into the forefront of your mind – and the center of your heart.

Treat yourself the way you are treating those you care about
For many people it is easier to be kind and compassionate to others than to themselves. How often do you support, uplift and complement your loved ones? And even if you got hurt or disappointed, how often have you been giving others the benefit of the doubt and were willing to let go and forgive? To become more self-compassionate pay attention to your needs and desires; don’t take yourself for granted, but appreciate on a daily basis the things you do well and the person who you are; offer kindness and understanding to your shortcomings and assume that you are trying your best and are willing to learn and grow.

Counter-balance negative self-talk
Read more about how to stop and redirect negative self-talk by clicking here.

Listen to this interview on Empowerment Radio and learn more about the essential keys to practice self-compassion.