Do you Trash Talk Yourself?
Self-compassion is the practice of being kind and understanding towards oneself, even when we make mistakes or experience setbacks. It is about recognizing that we are imperfect and that
we deserve to be treated with kindness. This is especially true for ourselves.
A lack of self-compassion has also been linked to a number of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Some of the issues:
Learning from our mistakes. When we dwell on our mistakes and beat ourselves up for them, it makes it difficult to move on.
Creating procrastination and perfectionism. If we are afraid of making mistakes, we are more likely put off tasks. We may set unrealistic standards for ourselves that are impossible to meet - perfectionism.
Damaging relationships. When we are not compassionate towards ourselves, we are less likely to be compassionate towards others.
Coping with stress and challenges. We can turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overeating, substance abuse, or self-isolation. It can keep us stuck in loops.
Creating Mental health problems. It has been linked to a number of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Feelings of shame, guilt, and worthlessness. We are more likely to be harsh and judgmental towards ourselves, even for minor mistakes or shortcomings.
Preventing growth: We may be afraid to take risks or try new things because we are so afraid of making mistakes. This can come from Fear of failure or imposture syndrome.
Some things you can do to develop self-compassion:
· Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a close friend who is going through a difficult time. Be kind and understanding and offer yourself the same support and encouragement that you would offer your friend.
· Practice mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. When we are mindful, we can learn to observe our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. This can help us to be more compassionate towards ourselves, even when we are having negative thoughts or feelings.
If you are struggling to develop self-compassion on your own, contact me. We’ll discover the root causes of your self-criticism and develop strategies for greater self-compassion.