Some of us care tend to care for ourselves when things get touch by getting more comfortable, cocooning, soothing and comforting ourselves. This is the ‘yin’ aspect of self-compassion.
Some of us are first inspired to move into action, protecting our best interests and motivating ourselves towards our values. This is the ‘yang’ aspect of self-compassion.
There isn’t a right way to care for ourselves in all situations, however most of us have a tendency to default more to one or the other. It helps us to be aware of your tendencies and where your growing edges are. We can deepen our self-compassion practice by exploring the edges of how we practice self-compassion.
If you tend to favour the “yin” aspect of self-compassion: each morning for three days, choose a yang aspect of self-compassion to inspire a self-compassionate act for that day. Let the act be simple and manageable. Remembering that the common thread connecting each of these yang qualities is an attitude of caring for yourself!
Day 1: Protecting — What self-compassionate act can you do today that embodies the “protecting” yang quality?
Day 2: Providing — What self-compassionate act can you do today that embodies the “providing” yang quality?
Day 3: Motivating — What self-compassionate act can you do that embodies the “motivating” yang quality?
Each day, journal about what it was like to attend to yourself in this way noticing any new learnings about yourself.
If you tend to favour the “yang” aspect of self-compassion: each morning for three days, choose a yin aspect of self-compassion to inspire a self-compassionate act for that day. Let the act be simple and manageable. Remembering that the common thread connecting each of these yin qualities is an attitude of caring for yourself!
Day 1: Comforting — What self-compassionate act can you do today that embodies the “comforting” yin quality?
Day 2: Soothing — What self-compassionate act can you do today that embodies the “soothing” yin quality?
Day 3: Validating — What self-compassionate act can you do that embodies the “validating” yin quality?
Each day, write in your journal about what it was like to care for yourself in this way and what you noticed.
There is no right or wrong here. Mindfulness helps us notice what is going on within us with nonjudgmental awareness. Self-compassion helps us attend to ourselves in ways that are most needed.
To learn more about how to add mindful self-compassion to your self-care, check out our workshops or call for one-on-one compassion focused counselling.
www.compassioninspiredhealth.com
