Cultivate selfcompassion and acceptance from "summary" of Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in 7 Weeks by Seth J. Gillihan
To grow self-compassion and acceptance, it's crucial to approach yourself with kindness and understanding. This means treating yourself as you would treat a dear friend who is going through a tough time. Instead of being self-critical or judgmental, strive to be supportive and compassionate towards yourself. When you make mistakes or face challenges, remind yourself that it's a natural part of being human and that you deserve to be kind to yourself. Acceptance involves acknowledging your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment or resistance. Rather than trying to suppress or change them, allow yourself to fully experience and accept them as they are. This doesn't mean that you have to agree with or condone everything you think or feel, but rather that you acknowledge them as valid parts of your experience. By accepting your thoughts and emotions, you can begin to understand them better and work through them in a more constructive way. Self-compassion and acceptance go hand in hand, as they both involve treating yourself with kindness and understanding. When you cultivate self-compassion, you are better able to accept yourself as you are, flaws and all. This doesn't mean that you have to love everything about yourself or that you can't strive for personal growth, but rather that you can approach yourself with more kindness and compassion along the way.- You can reduce negative self-talk, improve your self-esteem, and build resilience in the face of challenges. Ultimately, cultivating self-compassion and acceptance can help you lead a more fulfilling and satisfying life, grounded in a deeper sense of self-acceptance and self-love.
