Throwback to January 1st, 2020

I remember believing 2020 would have some resemblance to previous years. This included expecting to have consistency in my job, visiting extended family regularly, traveling... heck, even eating out on Friday nights. However, just like so many people in the world, our expectations and certainty of what 2020 would hold was turned upside down.

Our anticipated "stories" may not have come to be as we had hoped and dreamed. Many clients have come to me expressing feelings of disappointment in that they did not achieve what they intended to leading to harsh self judgment. After I encouraged each client to grieve/process their challenges this year, I proposed a perspective shift.

Brené Brown states: "Owning our story and loving ourselves through the process is the bravest thing we'll ever do." How do we embrace this year as part of "our story"? What would it mean about each one of us if we were to practice self compassion for our struggles? It takes bravery to challenge that inner critic about not fulfilling expectations. Perhaps practicing self compassion for what we have gone through is the best way to move forward?