When something doesn't go according to plan, are you harsh on yourself? Do you punish yourself for errors or failures? If so, you are not by yourself. When things don't go our way, it's normal to feel sad or irritated, but occasionally we go too far and start to be too harsh on ourselves. The good news is that we can interrupt this pattern and practise self-compassion more frequently.

The act of treating oneself with the same consideration, kindness, and understanding that one would extend to a close friend or loved one is known as self-compassion. We learn to acknowledge the fact that we all make mistakes, encounter setbacks, and struggle with issues. We must offer ourselves words of support and encouragement keeping in mind that we are deserving of kindness and care instead of criticising and belittling ourselves for these challenges.

I agree that practicing self-compassion is not always easy, especially if we've spent years being hard on ourselves. However, if we want to enhance our mental and emotional health, it's crucial to learn this skill. Here are some pointers to get you going:

Start with awareness: Pay attention to how you talk to yourself and take note of any instances when you are being unduly harsh or critical of yourself. Consider whether you would offer the same advice to a friend who was experiencing a difficult situation.

Treat yourself like a friend: What words of advice and assistance would you give to a friend who is struggling? Give those same compliments to yourself now.

Take care of yourself: Sleep well, eating healthily, and partake in things that make you happy and relaxed. Take care of yourself just as you would take care of a loved one who was going through a difficult period.

Practising self-compassion does not mean ignoring or downplaying our concerns. It involves treating ourselves with the same compassion and consideration that we would extend to a friend/family, and tackling our challenges with kindness and understanding. By doing this, we can increase our capacity for coping, enhance our mental and emotional health, and lead more rewarding lives.

In the words of writer and mindfulness expert Kristin Neff, "Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others." So, the next time you're feeling down, try offering yourself a little self-compassion because; You. Deserve. it.

I encourage you to leave a comment and share your thoughts on how we can support each other on our journey towards greatness.