5 Steps to More Self Kindness: The Ultimate Self Care Practice

Are you feeling more fatigue, frustration, lack of productivity? The pandemic may be a perfect opportunity to practice self-compassion to help you to feel better, to feel more flow and sense of forward movement in your life and even to boost your health. How?

I’m a recovering perfectionist. This character trait can be life-saving in dire circumstances. After I experienced a traumatic life event at 16, I didn’t want to get out of bed. But, I told myself I’m a survivor. I can do anything I set my mind to. I did it. My power to motivate myself got me out of that bed, back into my life.

This character trait can also be life-blocking. “Why aren’t you doing better? Everyone one else does this so well. What’s wrong with you?“ I can become paralyzed with fear that I won’t do an amazing job. This fear can slow me down from trying new things. I’ve learned to be okay with making mistakes — to live and learn and become better. But, oh, this can be so hard.

Here’s how self-compassion helps life flow again when you‘re feeling stuck.

What I’ve learned is that offering myself kindness can be huge to unfreeze the barriers that prevent my life from flowing. I practice letting myself be okay with trying to do things. I offer myself support for my best efforts even if it falls short…