In firefighting, a backdraft occurs when a fire, deprived of oxygen, suddenly receives a fresh supply of air, causing an explosive reaction. A similar phenomenon can happen when practicing self-compassion. For someone who has been steeped in self-criticism and feelings of worthlessness, the introduction of…
Kristin Neff, PhD, a trailblazer in self-compassion research, identifies three essential components of self-compassion: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. While loving and accepting ourselves is vital, it’s incomplete without embracing common humanity, which emphasizes our connection with others. Compassion, by definition, is relational—it means “to…
The following practice, “Waiting on Yourself,” is adapted from The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts & Emotions by Christopher K. Germer, PhD. If you are anything like me, you may find yourself paying more attention to others than to yourself. You…
According to Paul Gilbert, author of The Compassionate Mind and developer of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), there are three interacting emotional regulation systems that have evolved over time. These systems help explain why we easily fall into the trap of self-criticism and highlight the importance of…
Is there a difference between self-esteem and self-compassion? There sure is, and it is an important distinction to make. Self-esteem is a measure of our sense of worthiness, often based on how competent we believe we are in the areas we value. It can be…
In modern society, attributes such as strength, drive, and success are highly valued. While compassion is often seen as a virtue when directed toward others, it is frequently regarded as a less desirable soft skill. Moreover, the idea of extending compassion to oneself is often…