Despicable Me - Cultivating Self-compassion

I am glad you decided to make this thread, now make every day count. Doing something nice for yourself needn't mean grand or expensive gestures. Little things that make you feel worthy will do.

I know I am repeating myself but self loathing is a twisted sort of escapism. You feel guilty about something and subject yourself to self-flagellation -- vile, hateful thoughts about yourself -- to relieve the guilt. It works temporarily because it appeals to our sense of justice, as in, "I did something bad and I deserve to be punished for it." It feeds the need to do something productive to address the guilt except it has the opposite effect. Self-hatred is mentally and physically exhausting. It fogs up your decision-making faculties; it robs you of the physical strength to take tangible action. Sounds counter intuitive but it amounts to taking the easy way out. It is easier to sit around calling yourself a miserable loser than take ownership of your circumstances and soldier on.

Treat yourself like you would a good friend who has erred. You wouldn't say hurtful things to a friend who has made a mistake and you shouldn't do that to yourself. Forgiveness and compassion should start at home. Self-awareness is a virtue no doubt, but too much of it doesn't do any good. Shakespeare ought to have said, "This above all: to thine own self be kind."

Try this every day for a few days or for as long as you need to feel better --

http://philome.la/jace_harr/you-feel-like-sh*t-an-interactive-self-care-guide/play

Replace the asterisk with the letter 'i'. IL doesn't want us to be corrupted by bad words like sh*t! The questionnaire was designed for people with executive dysfunction who struggle with self care. It might help take the load off on days when you can't muster the energy to think straight.

I'll follow along for the month. Hope this phase passes soon.