Hello, beautiful souls!
Today, I want to share a personal story that truly transformed my approach to self-care and wellness. It's about learning to give myself grace - something I know many of us struggle with.
A few years ago, I found myself in a constant state of overwhelm. As a mom, teacher, and budding wellness coach, I was juggling so many responsibilities that I felt like I was constantly falling short. Every mistake felt magnified, and my inner critic was working overtime. Sound familiar?
The turning point came during a particularly stressful week. I had missed an important deadline, snapped at my kid, and felt like a complete failure. As I sat on my bedroom floor, tears streaming down my face, I remembered something a mentor had once told me: "Treat yourself as you would a dear friend."
In that moment, I realized I would never speak to a friend the way I was speaking to myself. This realization led me to develop a simple 3-step self-compassion practice that I now use daily and share with my clients:
1. Pause: When you notice you're being hard on yourself, take a moment to pause. Take a deep breath and create a little space between you and your thoughts.
2. Acknowledge: Recognize what you're feeling without judgment. Say to yourself, "This is a moment of suffering" or "This is really difficult right now."
3. Nurture: Offer yourself kindness. Place a hand over your heart and feel its warmth and gentle pressure. This simple gesture activates your body's calming response.
As you practice these steps, incorporate this gentle hand-to-heart breathing technique
- Place one or both hands over your heart.
- Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, feeling your chest rise beneath your hands.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth, allowing your body to relax.
- Repeat this for 3-5 breaths, or until you feel a sense of calm.
This practice has been a game-changer for me. It's helped me navigate challenging moments with more grace and kindness towards myself. Remember, self-compassion isn't about being perfect; it's about being gentle with yourself as you grow and learn.
Now, I'd love to hear from you! What's one way you can show yourself compassion today? Share in the comments below. Let's inspire and support each other on this journey of self-love and growth.
Stay positive and kind, beautiful souls. 💜🌹