Think about the last time you made a mistake in your practice. Did you feel frustrated, ashamed, or like an impostor? What was your inner dialogue? Now imagine a colleague reaching out to talk about a mistake they made. How would you speak to them? Do you notice a difference?

We often apply shame and judgment to ourselves, in stark contrast to the compassion we usually extend to colleagues. When we allow this harsh inner dialogue to go unchecked, it can become a vicious cycle, with self-criticism leading to more pain, regret, and shame.¹ Fortunately, there is a path out of this trap: self-compassion.

WHAT IS SELF-COMPASSION?

Self-compassion is the deliberate practice of offering yourself the same kindness you would offer a loved one in a similar situation. It has three components: self-kindness (being gentle toward oneself during adversity), common humanity (being aware that all humans face challenges), and mindfulness (being aware of the present difficulty without judging or over-identifying with it).²