4 Strategies to Foster Self-Compassion

“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” ~ Quote often attributed to Buddha Nurturing self-compassion is by far the most difficult part of my recovery from depression because the self-hater is loudest when my mood dips, charging me to try harder, be tougher, and comparing my raw insides with other people’s smooth outsides. Kristin Neff, Ph.D., self-compassion expert and associate professor of human development at the University of Texas in Austin found in her research that the biggest reason people aren’t more self-compassionate is that they are afraid they will become self-indulgent. “They believe self-criticism is what keeps them in line,” she writes in her book Self-Compassion. “Most people have gotten it wrong because our culture says being hard on yourself is the way to be.” In the last six months I have realized how far I have to go in this area of self-acceptance and self-compassion and have been trying new strategies to begin loving myself. Here are some steps that have helped me start the journey. See Your Own Goodness For those of us who carry heavy baggage from our childhood, a massive impediment to self-compassion is the belief that we are innately bad. In her book Radical Acceptance, clinical psychologist and meditation teac...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Books General Happiness Inspiration & Hope Mental Health and Wellness Motivation and Inspiration Perfectionism Personal Self-Help Personal Growth Resilience self-compassion Shame Vulnerability Source Type: blogs