We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be constantly on top of our game. But what if it's okay not to be at our 100% all the time? It's natural to feel frustrated when we're not at our best. We know we're capable of more, which can lead to harsh self-criticism. But one thing I try hard to practice (and still get better at) is acknowledging that low moments are a normal part of life. Giving ourselves credit for pushing through a tough day is much healthier for our well-being and self-compassion. These slower periods aren't failures; they're temporary dips. Accepting them positively ("It is what it is for now") allows us to recharge and return even stronger. This shift in perspective can significantly improve our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being in the long run.
Self-compassion is one of the only two key elements required for humans to be happy (the other one being lack of co-dependency on others). And that may sound a little crazy, but it's true! Self-compassion is crucial to happiness because happiness is never achieved when we are beating ourselves up, shaming ourselves, guilt-tripping ourselves, and worrying or believing that we are not enough. When we regularly practice self-compassion, we acknowledge our inherent worthiness that we don't need to ever earn through actions. Self-compassion allows space for happiness in our lives. No matter what we’ve done or not done (such as eating junk food, binge-watching TV, not being as productive as we possibly can be, not taking the dog for a walk, not following through with a short-term goal, etc.), practicing self-compassion ensures that we aren’t diminishing our inherent worth simply because of perceived shortcomings in our temporary outward circumstances or situations.
Self-compassion is about treating yourself with kindness and understanding when things go wrong. It’s about not beating yourself up or criticizing yourself when things don’t go as planned. It’s about being gentle with yourself and giving yourself permission to make mistakes. I try to practice self-compassion every day, and it has made a huge difference in my overall happiness. When things don’t go as planned, I used to beat myself up and criticize myself for not doing better. But now I try to treat myself with kindness and understanding. I remind myself that it’s okay to make mistakes, and that I’m only human. I also remind myself that I’m doing the best I can, and that’s all I can ask of myself. Practicing self-compassion has helped me to be happier and more content with myself and my life.
A Path to Happiness and Resilience by Embracing Self-Compassion My approach to self-compassion involves practicing kindness, understanding, and acceptance towards myself, especially during challenging times. Reflecting on personal experiences, there have been moments when I've faced setbacks or made mistakes, and instead of being overly critical or self-judgmental, I've learned to treat myself with the same empathy and compassion I would offer to a friend. By acknowledging my humanity and embracing imperfection, I've found that self-compassion enhances my overall happiness by fostering a greater sense of resilience, inner peace, and emotional well-being. Rather than dwelling on failures or shortcomings, I focus on learning and growth, recognizing that mistakes are an inherent part of the human experience. This mindset shift has allowed me to cultivate a deeper sense of self-acceptance and contentment, leading to a more fulfilling and joyful life.
Being kind to yourself is a constant process and I won’t lie, at times it does get difficult to treat yourself with compassion as easily as we are so keen to show others. As human beings, we are the most critical in judging ourselves. We tend to get too hard on ourselves when we make mistakes or face defeat because let’s face it, moving on and admitting to yourself that it is okay to make mistakes is hard. So that is my one mantra to practice self-compassion. I FORGIVE myself and keep reminding myself every day that I deserve second, third, fourth, well many chances to be human, a perfectly imperfect one to say the least!