Using Self-Compassion to Reduce Anxiety and Generate Acceptance
It isn’t easy to practice self-compassion. We are our toughest critics and it’s easy to default to negative self-talk which then leads us to feelings of anxiety. I thought both Sharon’s comments below along with the linked article were both impactful and may resonate with many of you. There’s one part of the post I’d like to highlight here; the idea is to get curious when you realize your critical voice is rearing its ugly head. Ask yourself:
What is the critic saying to you?
Is this a message you’ve been told in the past?
Is this a story about you that you believe is true?
Introduction by Sharon Martin:
The practice of self-compassion encourages us to accept ourselves and our imperfections with loving-kindness, as we would accept a loved one or dear friend. The practice embraces that we’re all human and, as humans, we experience joy and sorrow. We succeed and we fail.
For some of us, that concept can be difficult. We think that if we accept that we’re imperfect beings—that we make mistakes and we struggle—it will make us weak, or that we’ll never succeed. But research shows that when we’re kind and compassionate with ourselves when we struggle, we’re more able to complete difficult tasks and we’re more resilient. A self-compassion practice can also ease anxious and depressed feelings.