Build Your Self-Love and Self-Compassion: Foundational Skill to Pursuing Your Big Dreams
Self-love and self-compassion are overlooked skills that can really enhance the quality of your life. You are invited to join me at my next breathwork session to luxuriate in self-love for yourself. Register here.
Why Are They So Important?
First and foremost, they feel good. They also give you the strength to keep going after your dreams and goals despite life’s normal obstacles and set-backs.
When you model self-love and self-compassion, it can also have a wonderful ripple effect on those around you - giving them “permission” to be compassionate and loving with themselves as well. It’s a win-win. The ultimate gift of modeling to our kids.
Self-love and self-compassion compliment each other. They work together to allow you to enjoy yourself more and weather life’s challenges with more ease.
So What Are Self-Love and Self-Compassion?
Self-love is an appreciation of your worth or virtue. It's giving proper regard to your own happiness and well-being. It's not narcissism. It's basic self-care. It involves embracing and loving your most vulnerable and authentic self.
Self-compassion is your ability to relate to yourself in a way that’s forgiving, accepting, and loving even when you fail, or when things are sub-optimal.
Dr. Kristin Neff describes self-compassion as “A practice of goodwill, not good feelings… With self-compassion we mindfully accept that the moment is painful, and embrace ourselves with kindness and care in response, remembering that imperfection is part of the shared human experience.”
Check-In With Yourself
How would you rate your level of daily self-love and self-compassion on a scale of 1-10?
What do you think is standing in the way of being more loving and compassionate with yourself on a regular basis?
Many of us believe that being hard on ourselves and critical of our performance, weight, career, finances, and relationship status is helpful to creating the change we want. Sometimes our cultures reinforce this behavior.
Sometimes it works, but at what cost? Let’s be honest, it can be draining in the long-run.
On the other hand, practicing self-compassion instead of self-judgment gives us more energy to keep going.
I’ll be the first to admit that it isn’t easy at first. It’s a practice, especially if it hasn’t been modeled to you throughout your life.
Try This
My favorite way to tap into self-compassion and self-love when I’m struggling, is to imagine how someone who loves me would treat me in this situation.
Maybe it's my best friend, loving partner, parent, pet, or my future elder-wiser self. Give it a try and see what comes up.
Hope to see you at my breathwork session this week. Bring a friend. Sign up below.