Self Compassion In Recovery
Navigating any stage of recovery can bring up a variety of challenges. At times it may feel difficult to forgive yourself for past failures, slights toward others, or general feelings of suffering and discomfort. One way to alleviate some of the distress you might experience is to practice self-compassion.
Self-compassion is the practice of showing yourself the same warmth, understanding, and forgiveness you would provide to others when you perceive that you have failed or are experiencing suffering. There are three components to self-compassion, kind treatment of yourself, common suffering, and mindfulness. Kind treatment of yourself is the practice of being warm and showing yourself understanding when you feel you have failed or are inadequate. The second component, common suffering, is acknowledging that all humans experience failure, inadequacy, and suffering. It is a way to decrease isolation and the belief that you are the only person who has felt this way. Lastly, the mindfulness, is the acknowledgement of the pain or the problem you are facing. In order to be kind to yourself you need to acknowledge your pain and/or suffering.
There can be some misconceptions about practicing self-compassion. Practicing self-compassion does not mean you are letting yourself “off the hook.” In fact, it is the opposite. You are acknowledging the mistake made and giving yourself the chance to try again. Self-compassion is not the same as self-care either. Self-care is intentionally engaging in activities as a way to take care of your emotional, mental, and physical health. While self-compassion is a way to address your emotional and mental health, it is not the same as you taking the time to go on a walk, for example.
Focusing on increasing your self-compassion during recovery allows you to move forward, foster a greater sense of resilience, and face challenges as they arrive. Through the practice of self-compassion there can be decrease in anxiety, sadness, and shame. Additionally, those who practice self-compassion report higher levels of resiliency and find it easier to take responsibility for their actions.
As a way to foster self-compassion skills think of the following four practices:
- Recognizing your mistake and giving yourself to permission letting it go
- Taking time to pause and remember that you are where you need to be
- Remembering that there is not an end point to self-growth, we are all always learning and growing
- Talking to yourself the way you would talk to someone you care for
To learn more about self-compassion or find tips on how to increase your levels of self-compassion, you can visit www.self-compassion.org.
Disclaimer: All content on this website is for informational purposes only. It does not substitute for clinical treatment or advice. If you, a friend, or a family member is struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues please call our main office at 952-926-2526. For emergencies, go to your nearest emergency room and/or dial 911.