What it is
Empathy is understanding what someone else feels. Compassion is acting to ease their suffering. Self-compassion is turning that same care toward yourself.
How can I offer compassion to others if I won’t use it to dignify myself as a human being?
How it shows up for me
In moments of conflict or agony, I ask myself the questions I’d ask a friend:
- How would I treat a friend in this situation?
- What am I feeling right now, and is it okay to feel this way?
- Am I being too harsh on myself?
- What do I need right now?
- Is it possible that I made a mistake?
- What can I learn from this?
It helps me understand what I need, and why I’m frustrated.