In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist Laura Deneen is joined by fellow licensed therapist Megan Chase.
Together we discuss how self-compassion can be a helpful tool when we are experiencing our inner critic.
Key Takeaways:
- What Is Self-Compassion?: Megan shares her working definition of self-compassion which is treating yourself as you would treat your loved ones. There are three steps to practicing self-compassion: recognizing when you are experiencing pain and suffering, mindfulness of an emotional state, and asking yourself how you can be kind to yourself in the moment.
- Recognizing Our Inner Critic: We discuss ways to recognize our inner critic, such as personifying it, ie: acting as if it is a person. What tone of voice does it use? What does it say to you? Laura discusses possible origins of the inner critic; for example, it may have once protected you as a way to prevent failure or disappointment from others, but may no longer be serving you.
- Self-Compassion For Our Inner Critic and Perfectionism: Self-compassion is a helpful skill to help us move through difficult moments. You can practice this by first identifying your inner critic and offering yourself an ounce of compassion. This may look like practicing flexibility with your critical thoughts. We validate that self-compassion can feel scary at first, especially since being harsh with yourself is normalized, but we encourage you to practice it and see how it helps you.
This episode is full of insights on ways to practice self-compassion, providing helpful tips to navigate when your inner critic is present.
Homework: Recognize your inner critic by exploring what it sounds like and how it shows up for you. Then, explore how you would treat a loved one going through a difficult time and identify the language you would use and use those same words for yourself.
Affirmation: “I can choose to be kind to myself at this moment.”
Friend, we are passionate about offering more support beyond the insights and advice in this podcast.
At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
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⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
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We have also curated a selection of thoughtfully designed products to help you stay anchored that you can wear on your path to discovery and growth.
Additionally, for those seeking personalized guidance on their mental health journey, our team located in Brentwood, TN offers professional therapy services tailored to meet your individual needs, fostering a path to healing and growth. If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, we gently encourage you to find a licensed therapist local to you.
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