The act of being self-compassionate is useful. It's actually a lot easier if you think about it to be kind to yourself than all the pain and effort that comes with criticizing yourself or cutting yourself down. But remembering to do so is the bit that takes a little bit of practice and permission.
Self-compassion isn't selfish, says psychologist Kristin Neff, a pioneer in research on the topic. Kristin busts cultural myths about self-compassion, such as the idea that it makes us lazy or self-indulgent, and explains why it’s actually a more effective motivational tool than self-criticism. She also breaks down why fostering more self-compassion is a better strategy than trying to boost self-esteem and offers some simple practices for being kinder to ourselves.
If you enjoyed this episode, we recommend this one from the archives: “The Science of Our Inner Voice.”
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