Self-Compassion is the idea of having compassion for yourself like you would for others and we all have this ability. There are various definitions of “compassion” and Merriam-Webster defines compassion as “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.”
We often give to others and don’t give to ourselves. Dr. Kristin Neff is a leading expert on self-compassion and gives talks, trainings and courses around the world.
Having and working on self-compassion is a way to build what Dr. Neff calls “emotional resilience.” Here, at the I Am Resilient Project, we value the concept of self-compassion and are continuously working on accepting and loving ourselves. One of the ways we do this is by watching videos that help us understand and embody this concept.
Here are a selection of three videos below to enjoy and reflect on:
The Space Between Self-Esteem and Self Compassion: Kristin Neff at TEDxCentennialParkWomen
In this TEDx Talk, Kristin Neff talks about discovering self-compassion and the difference between self-esteem and self-compassion. She beautifully explains how self-esteem is based on the relationship between self-perception compared to others. However, self-compassion is about treating ourselves like we would treat a good friend, having common humanity and mindfulness.
The School of Life: Self-Compassion
This short yet informative video helps the viewer understand self-compassion in a quick and easy way. This video explains the connection between ancestral lineage and experiences and how it impacts the ability to have self-compassion.
Positive Psychology Exercises: Self-Compassion Letter & Your Daily Holiday
Do you want to begin experiencing self-compassion for yourself? This video invites you to participate in an exercise where you write a detailed letter about inadequacies and imagining someone in your life who accepts you for who you are and how they would support you. Watch this video out for more details on this exercise and a bonus exercise to try!
The I Am Resilient Project team is committed to working towards having more self-compassion and we invite you to do the same. How are you committing to building your self-compassion?
Are you ready to share your story of RESILIENCE? You can do that HERE and thank you for being brave and sharing your journey.