Self-compassion is the practice of sending love and warmth toward yourself. Why is this important, you ask? The inner critic we all have can be debilitating and belittling, leading to a sense of insecurity and feeling stuck. By practicing self-compassion, you have the potential to help rebuild the relationship with yourself based on caring, not criticism. Dr. Kristin Neff, author of the book Self-Compassion, has summarized the practice of self-compassion into three components: self-kindness, recognition of common humanity, and mindfulness. • Self kindness means being gentle with yourself (as opposed to critical). Talk to yourself as
you would talk with a friend. • Recognition of common humanity helps one realize that he/she is not the only one in the
world experiencing suffering. Everyone has experienced suffering at one time or
another and we can connect on a human level based on this commonality. • Mindfulness requires one to be present with suffering and examine it with curiosity to
possibly gain perspective. My daily practice of self-compassion is repeating a mantra. I needed this mantra when the tornado of self-criticism and judgment was swallowing me whole. I needed this mantra when I would feel something was wrong with me for not living up to my own expectations. I needed this mantra when I made what seemed like a million mistakes that ended in failure. Mine is specifically associated with self-criticism because that inner critic of mine can be quite the beast! My mantra helped me channel compassion toward myself. I repeat this phrase: Be gentle with yourself, McKenzie. You are not alone. Be here, now. By channeling compassion toward yourself, you can gain the self-respect you deserve.
Be gentle with yourself. You are not alone. Be here, now.

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