5 Steps to Self Compassion

This Valentine's Day I'm focusing on The relationship we have with ourselves and 5 Steps to Self Compassion thanks to psychotherapist James Guay LMFT.

According Guay to needs continual attention and maintenance throughout our lives. 💚

How we treat ourselves sets the standard for how we treat others.

It also provides a blueprint for what we expect from others.

While our self-esteem often changes depending on external circumstances, self-compassion is more consistently available.

Befriending ourselves is a life-long journey that helps us live more fully.

Keep reading for his 5 Steps to Self Compassion

Step 1: Practice Forgiveness 🙏🏻

Instead of beating ourselves up for making mistakes, we need to radically accept our shared humanity — being imperfect.

We can then take greater responsibility for what occurred, learn from it and do things differently in the future.

 

Step 2: Feel Gratitude 👏🏼

Instead of obsessively focusing on all the areas of our lives that we’re unhappy about, we can integrate aspects that we’re grateful for.

Giving ourselves this consistent nourishment feeds our soul.

Step 3: Find Generosity 🎁

When we freely give kindness, understanding and care to ourselves & others we reinforce self-compassion.

Let’s treat ourselves and each other as we would a best friend.

Step 4: Be Mindful 🧘🏽‍♀️

Purposefully drawing our attention to the present moment, with curiosity instead of judgment, allows us to let go of self-criticism & embrace ourselves more fully with self-compassion.

Step 5: Take Action 🏃🏿‍♀️

When we consistently act from a kinder place we feel more able to apply self-compassion when it’s especially challenging.

Thank you for sharing this really great advice 5 Steps to Self Compassion –James Guay, LMFT (#39252) who is inspired by seeing his clients transform from being perfectionistic, constantly on the go, feeling empty despite their successes to a place where they can finally truly relax and pursue excellence from a greater place of self-compassion.

Check out his  website here:  https://www.livingmorefully.com/

And his podcast here: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/livingmorefully

He’s also a social justice activist follow him on instagram here https://instagram.com/jamesguaylmft with a mission to help bring more compassion into the world — especially for oppressed minorities. To advance this cause, he’s testified against conversion therapy at California’s State Capital, appeared on various documentaries, and has written articles for Time, NY Times, LA Times, Huffington Post, and the Advocate.