Self-Compassion Isn’t Optional

The intentions we set around the experiences we choose are the guide posts for where our journey can lead us. Without compassion, any self-care activity can quickly derail into a quest away from love and towards self-harm, even in its smallest forms.

There’s a million reasons why someone may choose to, say, start taking jogs in the morning. But only a handful of those reasons will turn that jog into a healthful activity. Being motivated by guilt and shame takes away the heart of any self-care practice. Not only does it make commitment almost impossible because of the amount of internal resistance, but it also frames what could be a jubilant and transformational activity as an unfortunate necessity.

If that’s the case for you, take a step back and re-envision your motivations. Ask yourself—why are your REALLY taking that time for yourself? Your surface mind may tell you it’s to look better or to feel more accepted. But if you dig deeper, you’ll find that there’s a better reason. Maybe it’s because it makes your body feel more comfortable and smooth, supporting you throughout the day. Maybe it’s because it brings you into close contact with the natural world—a nourishing practice in itself. Or maybe it’s simply the loving act of choosing to do something beneficial for yourself that motivates you.

With your motivations and intentions redefined (and probably some internal reminders now and then), you can proceed with a clear and compassionate reason to pursue self-care. And you’ll swiftly avoid all the potential traps of compulsion and over-commitment that can take away the usefulness of any self-care routine.