{"id":3223,"date":"2020-03-26T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/?p=3223"},"modified":"2020-10-22T10:30:49","modified_gmt":"2020-10-22T15:30:49","slug":"self-compassion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/self-compassion\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Steps Towards Self Compassion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Are you your own toughest critic? Many people struggle with self-compassion and simply being kind of themselves. They have no problem showing grace and kindness to others but don\u2019t carry out those actions when it comes to their own worth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Self-compassion is hugely important. It allows you to heal from mistakes, keep moving forward in life, and can give you the motivation to be your best self. It allows you to experience new beginnings each day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you struggle with self-compassion, you\u2019re not alone. But, there are some things you can do to give yourself more grace and become more compassionate with yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Change How You See Yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This might sound easier said than done. But, transforming your mindset and the way you see yourself is crucial. If you feel shame or feel like you can\u2019t be kind to yourself because you\u2019ve done something wrong, challenge those negative thoughts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand that your behaviors may have been less than desirable. That doesn\u2019t define who you are, as a person. Remember that you are more than any mistake you have made. When you think about that and separate the things you don\u2019t like from who you are, you can start to change the way you see yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Speak Kindly About Yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Words are powerful, even the ones you say to yourself. If you\u2019re constantly telling yourself you\u2019re not good enough, you\u2019re not smart, you\u2019re unworthy, etc., you\u2019ll believe it. That can spiral into a mess of shame and depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, choose your words wisely. When a negative word\/thought comes to mind, replace it with something positive. It takes time and effort to do this, but it can make a big difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Practice Forgiveness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chances are, you\u2019re not showing yourself grace for a reason. Maybe there\u2019s something in your past that holds you back or causes you to feel guilty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re able to forgive others for their mistakes, you can do the same for yourself. Forgiving yourself is the first step in seeing yourself differently. You have to let go of whatever bondage is holding you back. Everyone makes mistakes. It\u2019s what you do, going forward, that makes a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Show Gratitude<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A little gratitude can go a long way when it comes to recognizing how good your life is. When you can see the things you have to be grateful for in black and white, it makes it easier to see why you should be compassionate to yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep a small journal with you and write down things you\u2019re grateful for throughout the day. Or, go on a walk with the sole purpose of mentally pointing out things you\u2019re thankful for as you pass them by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you start to see that your life isn\u2019t so grim, you can focus those positive thoughts on yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Be More Mindful<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mindfulness has gotten a lot of buzz over the last few years, but it\u2019s for a good reason. It\u2019s the practice of staying in the moment. When you\u2019re more mindful, you don\u2019t focus on the past, and you don\u2019t worry about the future. Instead, you stay in the present and recognize everything that\u2019s going on around you at that very moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mindfulness can help you to let go of whatever chains of the past are holding you back. If you start to hear negative self-talk creep in, choose to be mindful at that moment. Notice everything from the way your body feels to the way the breeze blows through the trees. In a few minutes, those negative thoughts may pass, and you can go on with your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Accepting Your Flaws Helps Self-Compassion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to be more compassionate with yourself, you\u2019re going to have to accept that you\u2019re not perfect. You have flaws like everyone else. You don\u2019t necessarily have to like those flaws, but you do need to accept having them. Happiness shouldn’t wait until some magical finish line in the future when you have overcome all perceived flaws. That kind of perfectionistic thinking is a guaranteed recipe for low self-esteem and always feeling like you have “failed.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accepting your flaws will help to set you free, and allow you to be kind to yourself, despite your imperfections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact Me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Self-compassion isn\u2019t always easy when you have years of self-deprecation to fight against. But, it isn\u2019t impossible. Put these tips into practice, and you can finally start treating yourself with the grace you deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like help in developing or implementing any of these ideas, please reach out to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know how stressful and demanding it can be to make changes in your life, but you don\u2019t have to figure it out on your own.   Some of the benefits of individual therapy include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n