BEYOND THE BLOG - Compassion: The Game Changer
- Anna Ryan
- Dec 22, 2023
- 2 min read
Personally I have gone on a little Self Compassion journey this year. It has been a courageous leap, a step into the unknown - purposefully challenging the way my hyper critical inner dialogue unfolds and to be honest AN ABSOLUTE GAME CHANGER in all aspects of my life.....
I held a long standing belief that in order to be motivated, to succeed, to progress I had to hold myself to ever increasing impossible standards and completely berate myself if I slipped up, did not achieve a set goal or was just....HEAVEN FORBID....HUMAN.
But this year I discovered that this kind of inner dialogue and way of thinking is in the long run quite limiting.....READ ON TO SEE WHY
Let me start by saying Self Compassion is not soft. It's actually quite a risk to give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Self Compassion is seeing yourself exactly as you are. Acknowledge the dark sides, the shadows, the inadequacies and holding space for all of it - hold yourself gently accountable.
Its not about running and hiding but rather facing every part of you - raw, real ,naked and find the beauty in the flaws. The story - the strength in weakness.
As we experience the many hurdles we will face in life and search for meaning in them - maybe the meaning is that they enable us - allow us to have compassion for those who have experienced the same thing - if we allow ourselves to see that meaning.
Benefits of self compassion
Elevates sense of Happiness
Elevates self esteem /self worth
Elevates body image
Elevates resilience and alleviates stress
When we have compassion for ourselves it is a whole lot easier to have it for others.
In fact I would argue that if you can not show compassion for others you most likely struggle to extend it to yourself.
“Remember that if you really want to motivate yourself, love is more powerful than fear.”
― Kristin Neff, Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself
So how does this fit into our fitness journeys?
Research into sports psychology has shown that female athletes in particular with higher levels of Self Compassion showed greater levels of personal growth, body appreciation, purpose in life, sense of autonomy/self responsibility and self acceptance/less body anxiety.
In my experience both personally and as a pilates and yoga teacher I would strongly agree with this.
When you nourishingly move your body from a place of gentle consistent self care as opposed to a punishment for what you ate, or a sense of self loathing - the capacity to stick with a programme and continue to extend yourself- to grow and improve are truly remarkable.
Take the risk and allow yourself some Self Compassion and watch your heart, mind and body transform.
Till next time
xo Anna
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