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People offer compassion to others easily but what about self-compassion? Being compassionate to ourselves means accepting our mistakes so we can be more present with ourselves, practicing self-care, nurturing ourselves, and being sensitive and understanding about our own suffering so we can heal. We would do all of this for someone else, but why are we not doing it for ourselves?
Compassion motivates people to help others experiencing emotional, physical or mental pain. We want to alleviate the suffering of another person, but when it comes to ourselves, we suppress our own suffering and pain. Expressing compassion can improve someone’s life, just as self-compassion can improve our own life.
Some think self-compassion is a sign of weakness, while others feel selfish to be thinking about themselves instead of others. It is okay to recognize our feelings and emotions, hold on to them, and take care of ourselves during times of stress, anxiety, uncertainty or trauma. Too often, we dismiss our emotions and suppress the feelings that arise during and after a trauma situation. Listen to your internal voice that is saying you need a dose of self-compassion. Let it speak louder than the voice that is telling you this is negative thinking.
You can find space for self-compassion, the same way you find time and space for compassion. We all need that balance. Suppressing unwanted feelings can impact your mental health. Suppression after suppression can lead to depression.
So, how can we learn self-compassion?
Begin by making space in your mind to fully feel your emotions in the moment.
Practice mindfulness.
Allow yourself to feel your feelings (eg, anger, fear, care, panic, grief, play and lust) and embrace all of them, even the uncomfortable ones.
Practice self-care, deliberately seeking out activities or practices that reenergize you and help you relax.
Pause, take a step back, breathe and mindfully embrace your feelings for that moment.
Push aside the distractions of the moment that are not allowing you to connect with yourself.
Make comforting statements that express self-love, acceptance and positivity.
Be okay with embracing imperfection.
Self-compassion involves a mindset that combats anxiety, doubt and unrealistic expectations. Being compassionate to ourselves requires connection and self-love. It involves learning to accept and embrace our imperfections and view our less stellar qualities as opportunities to learn and grow. It is a worthwhile shift that takes consistency and practice, but ultimately helps clear emotional clutter and creates space for deeper connections with ourselves and the world around us.
Self-compassion often is not nurtured in childhood, hence, it may not come naturally for many of us. It must be learned and consistently practiced. I work with patients to help make this happen. I help them notice how emotions show up as sensations in the body, encourage them to drop the narrative, and learn how to be with their emotions in a healthy way instead of suppressing them.
Let’s start healing ourselves, rebalance our lives and make room for self-compassion.
Charon Normand Widmer LMSW is a licensed psychotherapist, somatic sex therapist and trauma specialist. She specializes in working with individuals seeking support navigating erotic, gender and sexual identity challenges; alternative relationships, and trauma, utilizing a strengths-based, psychodynamic, compassion-based approach. Many seek therapy to feel better; working with Charon entails learning how to get better at feeling.
To schedule an appointment: go to holisticharon.com/calendar or call 7347650969 or email charonmsw@gmail.com
Q:
If you are grappling with challenges in your relationships, struggling with addiction, dealing with past trauma, facing sexual concerns, managing anger difficulties, or experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety, it is highly advisable to consider therapy as a valuable resource for addressing and improving your well-being.
Q:
When seeking a therapist, it's important to consider several key qualities and capabilities. Look for a therapist who actively listens to your concerns, maintains a present and attentive demeanor during sessions, can guide you in establishing healthy boundaries, possesses the ability to provide appropriate referrals to additional resources when necessary, is skilled in teaching effective communication techniques, can aid in enhancing your emotional intelligence, and is willing to offer honest and constructive feedback as part of your therapeutic journey.
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If you ever find yourself unsure about what to discuss during a therapy session, a skilled therapist who is fully present with you will adeptly steer the session, creating a welcoming environment for you to delve into both present and past concerns, as well as goal-setting. Moreover, it is entirely acceptable to explore the aspects of your life that are going well, as these can be a rich source of material to examine and build upon in your therapeutic journey.
and let's begin your transformative journey towards a healthier, happier, and more vibrant you. Together, we'll unlock your full potential for wellness and personal growth.
(734) 765-0869
charonmsw@gmail.com
19500 Middlebelt suite 224
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Contact Us
charonmsw@gmail.com
(734) 765-0869
19500 Middlebelt suite 224
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