Let’s do some myth-busting! People are often resistant to. practicing self-compassion due to one of these misconceptions about what self-compassion involves or what it says about you. The research supports that self-compassion is one of the biggest indicators of resilience.
Myth 1 : Self-Compassion is a form of Self-Pity
Many believe that being compassionate to yourself equates to self pity. In contrast, Self-compassion is an antidote to self pity.
Self-Compassion makes us more willing to accept, experience, and acknowledge difficult feelings with kindness, which in return helps us fully let go of our hard experiences
Myth 2 : Self-Compassion means Weakness
Self-compassion is one of the most powerful sources of coping and resilience that we can use.
When we experience major life events, self compassion can make the biggest difference in our ability to survive and thrive.
Myth 3: Self- Compassion will make me complacent
One of the biggest blocks to self-compassion is the belief that it will prevent us from pushing ourselves to do better.
But in fact self compassion is a caring response that helps us maintain our self confidence and support our emotional well-being.
Research demonstrates that self-compassion is more effective than self punishment when it comes to personal motivation.
Myth 4: Self-Compassion is Narcissistic
Self-compassion is different than an inflated sense of self-esteem, which is the root of narcissism. Self-esteem is often conditional and based upon outward success and self-compassion is cultivated from an inward well that is available regardless of outward achievements.
Self-Compassion is…
– is not a judgement or evaluation at all
– requires that we acknowledge that we share human condition of being imperfect
– is a way of relating changing of who we are with kindness, especially when we fail
Self-Esteem is…
– A positive evaluation of self-worth
– requires feeling better than others
-extremely fragile and fluctuates with our recent successes and failures
Myth 5: Self-Compassion is Selfish
Women tend to have lower levels of self-compassion than men because they are conditioned to care be caregivers.
However, being good to yourself helps you be good to others .
Self-compassion research shows that self-compassion is necessary to be compassionate to others and help sustain caring to others
When offering ourselves compassion we create a protective barrier allowing us to be compassionate to others while doing the same for ourselves.
Looking to build more self-compassion? Learn more about working with me or book free a consult today!
*Research is from the article What keeps us from being kinder to ourselves? By Kristin Neff .