Takeaway: Feeling and understanding our emotions gives us access to self compassion. Self compassion is more effective toward change than self-criticism and can ‘soothe’ our systems.

Practice (1:16): With a hand on your heart and a deep breath, say: “This is a hard moment, suffering is a part of life, may I be kind to myself in this moment, may I give myself the compassion I need.”

Journal Prompts: Craft your own self compassion mantra or template. Remember to name the experience that is difficult, name a reality of our common humanity, and bring in kind and mindful awareness.

“Self compassion is how we honor our emotions and honor our humanity.”

Additional Readings

Self Compassion, Kristin Neff, PhD

Web Resource: Self Compassion Exercises