Self-compassion is intricately connected to our sense of individual well-being. It is essential in learning how to care for and understand ourselves — rather than remaining judgemental and highly critical.
Self-compassion is the medicine that allows us to create a nourishing, loving relationship with ourselves that fuels our growth and prosperity.
This way of relating to yourself may feel strange, especially if it is something you have never done before. However, there are simple steps you can take to begin cultivating a more self-compassionate relationship with yourself today.
Self-Compassion Breaks
A “self-compassion break” is something that allows you to have time to acknowledge to yourself that you are experiencing a moment of suffering and that suffering is part of life. Consider saying something to yourself such as:
- “May I be kind to myself?”
- “May I be patient with myself?”
- “May I be accepting toward myself?”
- “May I be compassionate toward myself?”
You can practice this any time when you find the voice of your inner critic to be loud and distracting.
Reframing the Inner Critic
The “inner critic” is the part of you who is hard on yourself for everything you do. This internal voice may sound like shame, criticism, or judgment and can provoke feelings of anxiety, self-doubt, and fear.
Oftentimes, we take the voice and observations of the inner critic to be true. What if this was not the case though?
What if you thought of your inner critic as something that was just one part of you and not a voice expressing absolute truth? What would it be like to experience the inner critic without feeling it was always stating something that you needed to believe? What if you could reframe the voice of the inner critic into an observation that is gentle and kind?
Treating Yourself as You Would a Friend
This one may sound simple, but it can be powerful if it resonates for you. What would you say to a friend if they were suffering? Are you open to treating yourself in the same way?
Learning to relate to yourself differently is something that requires a shift from self-judgment to self-compassion. At Avalon Malibu, we recognize how important befriending ourselves is in recovery from any type of substance abuse or mental health struggle. Whether it is by teaching you how to be more compassionate toward yourself, or ways to reframe your inner dialogue, we can help. You will also be among professionals and peers that support a safe and secure environment. To learn more, call us today at (844) 857-5992.
