Self-Compassion (And a short journey on discovery and use)
Throughout the recent context of my life I have learned to use a very valuable tool. To be honest, I did not know that this tool existed before but has been the most beneficial through this period of heartbreak and soul-searching to rebuild myself in a better way than I was before. And I'd like to share it in hopes that if you don't already do this you can start now to help yourself as well. This tool is self-compassion. At first it seemed like such a weird concept for me. I've always been the perfectionist type and have criticized my own every move, every feeling. I thought that I should be better, not feel certain things, have done things differently. This had caused me to be bitter, view the world and my surroundings negatively because I viewed myself negatively. So after reading blogs looking for ways to cope I came across this tool. I then tried treating myself with kindness, telling myself it was okay that I felt certain things and that it wasn't too late to get my life on track. Since I have put this self-compassion into practice in my life I have been seeing improvements on my overall mood, my self esteem and drive. I am becoming my best friend instead of my biggest enemy or my worst critic. It's okay to feel anger, sadness, jealousy, fear, hopelessness. It's okay that you aren't where you thought you would be. It's okay that not everything works out the way you wanted it to. Like I've learned, don't be so hard on yourself. Cut yourself some slack, tell yourself it's okay. You're human and you're the only you that you have. You of all people deserve kindness and compassion from yourself.