Three Myths About Self-Compassion

We hear a lot about self-compassion these days and, for most, the concept is foreign. Just a generation or two ago, the mindset was that life was extremely hard, and that was all there was to it. Men worked day and night, women tended to the family and to the home. They did this day in and day out with little or no time for themselves. 

Today, however, we are more self-aware than ever. Humanity is more evolved, we are conscious creators of our lives with an eye toward making differences in the lives of others, as well. Self-help and self-improvement have gone from being a luxury to being part of our daily routine. 

Myth Number One: Self-compassion is a Fad

One common misconception is that self-compassion is just a trendy buzzword. However, extensive research in personal development and psychology highlights its enduring advantages. Practicing self-compassion offers numerous benefits, among which the following two stand out:

• Being compassionate to ourselves helps us feel better, work better, play better.
• Being compassionate to ourselves in life’s daily moments helps us take the burden off expecting others to do it for us. 

Myth Number Two: Self-compassion is Selfish

Many people feel that doing things solely for their own happiness, especially without involving others, seems selfish. However, this is a misconception; engaging in self-care brings joy to oneself. If you were to track how often you criticize yourself by journaling throughout the day, the frequency might surprise you. 

Adopting the practice of self-compassion can yield numerous benefits.:

• A more positive, optimistic attitude.
• Less bitterness, resentment, and angst.
• You are more pleasant to be around and represent a role model for others.
• A happier, more empathic mindset means a happier, healthier mind, body, spirit.

By practicing self-compassion, we reduce the pressure on others to always comfort, nurture, and care for us. While we all need support from others when life presents unexpected challenges, daily self-compassion can help us counteract the negative thoughts that occupy our minds.

We all have an inner critic and when we use the practice of self-compassion to challenge those thoughts, we are all the better for it. 

Myth Number Three: Self-Compassion is only for Spiritual Folks

Self-compassion has nothing to do with being spiritual, religious, or new age. Self-compassion produces results. Imagine being in a meeting or part of a project and something goes awry (as things often do). Taking the time, energy, and most importantly the focus off yourself and onto troubleshooting and problem-solving changes the course of the project. Not only does it change the course, it also changes the outcome. 

Asking the inner critic a few questions helps improve your life:

• Is this helpful?
• Is this inner criticism a fact? Am I a mistake or did I simply make a mistake?
• Where can I learn and grow from this?
• How can I use this to rebound quickly and make a better decision?

As you can see, self-compassion comes from a logical place when we challenge that inner critic. 

Look and see where you can, in your life, challenge the inner critic, dispel these myths, and make a difference.

***

Need more self-care tips including info on incorporating more laughter into your day, head on over to A Cup of Positivity on Facebook join the discussion.