Understanding the Power of Self-Compassion: Cultivating Kindness and Resilience Within
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
Self-compassion, a concept rooted in mindfulness and self-acceptance, is increasingly recognized as a transformative practice for personal wellbeing. It involves treating ourselves with kindness, understanding, and non-judgment, especially during times of struggle, failure, or pain. In this article, we touch on the essence of self-compassion, exploring its benefits, techniques, and how it can positively impact our mental and emotional health. By cultivating self-compassion, we can foster greater resilience, self-care, and a more compassionate relationship with ourselves.
“Self-compassion is simply the process of turning compassion inward. We are kind and understanding rather than harshly self-critical when we fail, make mistakes, or feel inadequate. We give ourselves support and encouragement rather than being cold and judgmental when challenges and difficulty arise in our lives [1] .” According to Kristin Neff [2] , “as having three interrelated component that are exhibited during times of pain and failure. Each component has two parts, the presence of one construct and the negation of another. These three concepts are:
- Being kind and understanding toward oneself rather than being self-critical.
- Seeing one’s fallibility as part of the larger human condition and experience rather than as isolating.
- Holding one’s painful thoughts and feelings in mindful awareness rather than avoiding them or overidentifying with them.”
Psychology Today recommends 7 exercises based in self-compassion [3] :
- Write a self-compassion letter
- Let go of negativity
- Stand up to your inner critic
- Nix the “should”
- Practice living-kindness
- Take a self-compassion break
- Forgive yourself
Professor of psychology at the University of California, Serena Chen, considers that “when leaders respond to failures and setbacks with a self-compassionate attitude, they themselves benefit, being more likely to exhibit psychological and behavioral tendencies that bode well for their own professional development and success. And the benefits can trickle down to subordinates, making the practice of self-compassion a win-win for leaders and those they lead [4] .“
In conclusion, embracing self-compassion is not a sign of weakness, but rather an act of strength and self-care. By practicing self-compassion, we can cultivate a more balanced and compassionate relationship with ourselves, enhancing our overall wellbeing and resilience. Through self-kindness, mindfulness, and a non-judgmental attitude, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and bounce back from setbacks with greater self-acceptance. Let us remember that we are deserving of compassion, both from others and from ourselves, as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. May self-compassion be a building light that nurtures our hearts and minds, allowing us to live more fulfilling and compassionate lives.
[1]https://self-compassion.org/#:~:text=Self%2Dcompassion%20is%20simply%20the,difficulty%20arise%20in%20our%20lives.
[2]https://ccare.stanford.edu/research/wiki/compassion-definitions/self-compassion/
[3]https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202101/6-science-based-self-compassion-exercises
[4]https://hbr.org/2018/09/give-yourself-a-break-the-power-of-self-compassion