Release Your Inner Critic. Treat Yourself with Kindness, Understanding and Compassion

Many people compare their achievements to others, which often leads to self-flagellation. We think that if we scold ourselves properly for real and imagined mistakes, something will change; however, in the end, we feel nervous and exhausted. Clinical psychologist Diana Hill believes it is more effective to treat ourselves with understanding and kindness, especially in difficult moments. She offers techniques from compassion-focused therapy as well as acceptance and responsibility. By developing a gentle attitude towards ourselves, we learn to accept ourselves with all our peculiarities, to show compassion in challenging situations, and to take responsibility for our own decisions. To make compassion a part of your daily life, you will need just a few minutes a day. After eight weeks of practice, you will learn to disengage from your inner critic, forgive yourself, and feel the self-love you may not have suspected you had.