Practice selfcompassion and kindness from "summary" of Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life by Steven Hayes,Spencer Smith
When you're struggling with difficult emotions or challenging situations, it's easy to be hard on yourself. You might find yourself criticizing your actions, judging your thoughts, or blaming yourself for things that are out of your control. This self-criticism can become a source of additional pain and suffering, adding to the already difficult experience you're going through.
Practicing self-compassion and kindness involves treating yourself with the same care, understanding, and support that you would offer to a friend in a similar situation. It means responding to your own suffering with warmth and empathy, rather than harshness and self-judgment. By cultivating self-compassion, you can create a more nurturing and supportive inner environment, which can help you navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and ease.
When you practice self-compassion, you acknowledge your own pain and suffering with honesty and compassion, rather than trying to suppress or ignore it. You recognize that it's okay to feel hurt, scared, or vulnerable, and you offer yourself kindness and comfort in those moments. This doesn't mean wallowing in self-pity or excusing harmful behavior—it simply means approaching yourself with gentleness and understanding, just as you would with a loved one.
Self-compassion also involves recognizing your shared humanity—the understanding that all human beings experience pain, struggle, and imperfection. When you remind yourself that you're not alone in your suffering, you can feel a sense of connection and solidarity with others, which can reduce feelings of isolation and shame. This recognition of our common humanity can foster a sense of compassion not only for ourselves but for all beings.
In addition to self-compassion, practicing kindness towards yourself involves actively nurturing your well-being and happiness. This may involve engaging in self-care activities that bring you joy and relaxation, setting boundaries to protect your energy and boundaries, or challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that undermine your self-worth. By treating yourself with kindness and respect, you can cultivate a sense of inner peace and fulfillment that can sustain you through life's ups and downs.
