Self-compassion isn't selfish; it's a necessary act of kindness toward our own being. It's about treating ourselves with the same gentleness and understanding we readily offer others, and here are 5 proven techniques that can guide you on the path of self-compassion.
1. Mindful Self-Awareness: Start by being mindful of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Notice when you're being hard on yourself and gently redirect those thoughts toward kindness. It’s not as easy as it seems because I am my own biggest critic, but at some point, you have to stop judging yourself and be more kind to yourself if you want to be genuinely happy.
2. Practice Self-Forgiveness: Acknowledge that making mistakes is part of being human. Instead of dwelling on past errors, practice self-forgiveness. Not forgiving yourself makes life hard, why should you make your life harder when you can uncomplicate things by yourself. You need to learn to give yourself grace. The way you think “oh this person wouldn’t intentionally hurt me or wouldn’t intentionally do that” is the way you should think “I would not have made this mistake if I knew better”.It’s okay to learn and grow from your experiences.
3. Offer Yourself Comfort: When facing challenges or feeling distressed, offer yourself the same comfort you'd give to a friend. Often, we tend to downplay our own struggles by saying, "It's normal, it's just me," yet we would go above and beyond to comfort others. Wrap yourself in kindness and understanding. You deserve it as much as others
4. Challenge Your Inner Critic: Challenge the harsh inner critic by questioning its validity. Would you speak to a friend the way you speak to yourself? Treat yourself with the same compassion you'd offer others.
5. Embrace Imperfections: Embrace your imperfections—they make you unique. I used to worry a lot about how I looked in photos, thinking only I knew my best angles. So, I stopped letting others take my pictures, missing out on capturing memories. But here's the thing: being perfect is impossible. Your flaws don't define your worth. When you accept and embrace these imperfections, you free yourself from unrealistic expectations.
Love and Light,
Olajumoke.
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