When it comes to personal development, our culture often celebrates those who are self-assured or self-confident.
However, self-compassion might be a better way to approach success and personal development.
And once you acknowledge and accept your flaws, you are more likely to view them objectively and realistically.
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This, in turn, can lead to positive changes in your life.
Understanding Self-Compassion
Drawn from Buddhist psychology, self-compassion is not the same asself-esteemor self-confidence.
In general, self-compassion involves accepting that you are human and that you make mistakes.
It also means you do not dwell on those mistakes or beat yourself up for making them.
For instance, she also offers several self-compassion exercises you could engage in includingaffectionate breathingandloving-kindness meditation.
Here is an overview of the primary components of self-compassion.
And you are kind to yourself when things go wrong instead of being critical.
Or, you might think: “I shouldn’t have this issue come up in my life.
Everyone else is living perfectly happy, normal lives.”
You acknowledge that everyone has issues and struggles because this is what it means to be human.
When you start to think like that, it changes the way you view life’s challenges and difficulties.
That opens the door for you to grow from the experience.
Mindfulness
Another component of self-compassion ismindfulness.
When you are mindful, you have to be willing to face your pain and suffering and acknowledge it.
Most people do not want to do that.
In fact, they usually want to avoid it.
They want to avoid the pain and go straight toproblem-solving.
Another thing it’s crucial that you be mindful of is your inner critic.
Self-criticism can be very defeating and often plays on repeat in our minds.
But mindfulness allows you to be aware of your shortcomings without passing judgment on yourself.
The result is that you will recognize where you need improvement without the pressure of being superhuman.
Remember, self-compassion is about being kind to yourself and realizing that humans are imperfect, including you.
This also requires acknowledging that it is okay to not be perfect.
When you practice self-compassion, you understand that making bad decisions does not automatically make you a bad person.
Instead, you recognize that your value and worth is unconditional.
In fact, research has consistently shown a positive connection between self-compassion and overall well-being.
Additionally, self-compassion provides a sense of self-worth.
But not in anarcissisticway like self-confidence can at times.
They also are more caring, supportive, andempathetic.
Meanwhile, research shows that people who are self-compassionate have lessanxiety,depression, and fear of failure.
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Many times, that voice is way too critical.
For example, you may beat yourself up for every little mistake.
To be more self-compassionate, you oughta recognize that voice and correct it when it veers off course.
That doesn’t mean you tell yourself how great you are.
And when you do, life will get a whole lot more manageable.
Neff K.Definition of self-compassion.
2018;9(4):1011-1027. doi:10.1007/s12671-017-0850-7
