Self-criticisms accumulate layer by layer.
Have you ever noticed how often you criticize yourself? For many of us, it’s a kind of knee-jerk reaction: “I shouldn’t have done that (or eaten that, or said that)” or “Why can’t I be more like him or hear?” These little put-downs may not seem like much, but they can add up and negatively affect your self-confidence.
Developing Self-Compassion
Small self-criticisms accumulate, layer by layer, like sand until they swallow you whole. Sometimes we make it worse by criticizing our self-criticism! This negative self-talk can be destructive to you and your relationships. If you’ve ever spent a lot of time with someone who has no compassion for herself, then you know how tiring it can be.
TIP: NO ONE EVER BECAME A STRONGER, BETTER PERSON BY LETTING THEMSELVES BECOME PARALYZED BY CHRONIC SELF-JUDGMENT
The way to begin to let go of self-criticism is to move in the opposite direction–toward compassion. After all, if you are able to practice the art of compassion for yourself, you will be that much more capable of sharing it with others.
The inner critic likes to whisper over your shoulder or from behind the curtain, but when you explore it for what it is and counter its criticism with love and compassion, its powers are quickly foiled. You’ll soon find that it ceases to be as toxic or potent, and begins to lose hold on your psyche. The result is a more confident, decisive you.
TIP: THE ONLY WAY TO COUNTER SELF-CRITICISM IS THROUGH COMPASSION
TRY THIS:
The next time you catch yourself engaging in self-criticism, stop yourself, take a step back, and ask yourself why you’re doing it. What’s the situation, what’s at stake, and why are you blaming yourself? Think about if the same thing happened to a friend and she came to you upset and blaming herself. What would you tell her? This will allow you to gain some perspective and start treating yourself with the same kindness and compassion with which you’d treat someone else you love and care about.
How We Can Help
Here at Meditation Stepping Stones, our meditation classes assist you with the support you need to calm the self-critic. You can learn more about our classes below.
Our current classes:
Meditation – Wednesdays at 7 pm Central Time in Virtual Classroom
Mindfulness – Mondays at 11 am Central Time in Virtual Classroom
Meditation – Every other Saturday at 10:30 am in Madison, Wisconsin
For the online classes, be sure to use the link to register for each class session you attend. This helps me to know in advance who is attending. You will receive the link for the conference automatically from the system.
Personal Sessions – The personal sessions will run similarly as well except it will be only you and myself meeting. You will have more time to ask questions, work intimately together on goals, right technique, receive worksheets and other easy assignments to help you grow in your meditation practice.
Awakening to Joy Retreat in March 2018 – Join us for our co-sponsored Awakening to Joy retreat based on James Baraz’ mindfulness book, Awakening Joy.
Access our Meditation Pebbles Podcast for easy five minute practices you can do easily. Also try our longer meditations podcast, Peaceful and Healing Guided Meditations.
If you have further questions, use the contact form here on the website. I’m happy to answer any questions may have.
Be sure to join our Facebook Group too and you can ask questions, share with others and receive support.
You must log in to post a comment.