“What we practice grows stronger”
Here are some specific writing and thinking exercises from Kristen Neff’s website that help us use and practice self-compassion when we most need it. Click on the link to see the actual exercise.
As Dr. Neff emphasizes on her website, self-compassion “allows us to hold ourselves in love and connection, giving ourselves the support and comfort needed to bear the pain, while providing the optimal conditions for growth and transformation.” It doesn’t suppress the pain or the source or take our mind off of it, but it gives us the strength to accept it and move forward.
Remember, we must be accepting of our slow-learning with self-compassion as well. Engaging with your pain can be a difficult process, so you may need to start slowly by simply taking part in behavioral acts of self-care- and that is completely on track. You need to start somewhere, and by starting with these first steps, you are telling yourself that investing your time into being kind to yourself is important to you, setting yourself up for future acts of self-compassion.
We are so happy you have decided to start this loving journey.