• Psychology -> Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

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Can self-compassion be taught?

Consuela Shimoni

Yes, self-compassion can definitely be taught! It’s like learning a skill, like riding a bike or playing soccer. When we learn self-compassion, we are learning to treat ourselves with kindness and understanding, even when things are tough.

One way to learn self-compassion is to start by noticing our thoughts and feelings. We can pay attention to when we are feeling sad, frustrated, or overwhelmed. Then, we can remind ourselves that it’s okay to feel that way. Everyone has tough times, and it’s important to be patient and gentle with ourselves.

Another way to learn self-compassion is to practice speaking to ourselves like we would speak to a good friend. When our friend is feeling down, we might say things like “I’m sorry you’re having a hard time. You are doing the best you can.” We can do the same for ourselves! We can be our own best friend by speaking kindly and offering support.

It’s important to remember that learning self-compassion takes practice. We won’t be perfect at it right away, and that’s okay! It’s a journey, not a destination. We can take small steps every day to be kinder to ourselves, and soon enough, self-compassion will become a natural part of our lives.