What if instead of giving up you were giving yourself better self-compassion instead?
I know promised you some more tips on managing your inner critic and I hope you will forgive me for putting it off for one more week. I have a good reason.
I was reflecting on all the people who were posting about “giving things up for Lent”. I am not religious however I do consider myself Spiritual and I wondered about harnessing this idea for self-care.
I made a decision to explore what it feels like to embrace 40 days of reflection and sacrifice. The word sacrifice felt harsh to me so I reframed this as self-compassion with the idea that it will increase my ability to have compassion for others.
I will be giving something up as part of that process. I have decided to give up sugary sweets, biscuits and chocolate plus alcohol which I currently only take occasionally.
I suspect my need for sugar is really an indicator of some unresolved issues, some of which are outside my awareness.
From an NLP perspective, I hold the view that my unhealthy drives around sugar do have a positive intention. They are likely trying to help or protect me in some way.
I have some ideas as to what that might be and there may be some I have yet to consider. It is also possible that the positive intention is now out of date and the part of me that is running the drive did not realise.
I plan to replace sugar with self-care and self-compassion.
The phrase “giving something up” can be a block to lasting change so I am reframed this too. Instead of giving something up I will notice what emerges from my change in behaviour and take steps clear what needs clearing, acknowledge what needs acknowledging and release what needs releasing.
I am using a number of approaches including NLP, The Wholeness Process, Core Transformations and Journalling.
Having begun this journey it then occurred to me that a shared journey can be a very supportive thing so I set up a group on Facebook in order to invite others to join me.
I extend this invitation to you now. Would you like to join me on this journey of self-care and self-compassion?
Below is my original post. The name of the group is “Self-care for 40 days and beyond” and you are welcome to ask to join the group. I will be continuing to write my blogs on self-care here and you can post comments about your own journey or questions here on this blog.
“I do not follow any form of organised religion however I do consider myself Spiritual. I believe in a connection between us all and that we have the ability to share compassion.
I have been considering the Christian tradition of Lent. I have made a decision to explore what it feels like to embrace 40 days of reflection and sacrifice. The word sacrifice feels harsh to me so I plan to reframe this as self-compassion with the idea that it will increase my ability to have compassion for others.
I will be giving something up as part of that process. I have decided to give up sugary sweets, biscuits and chocolate plus alcohol which I currently only take occasionally. I suspect my need for sugar is really an indicator of some unresolved issues, some of which are outside my awareness. I plan to replace sugar with self-care and self-compassion. I will notice what emerges and take steps clear what needs clearing, acknowledge what needs acknowledging and release what needs releasing.
I will need love and support so if you feel moved to, please comment on my daily posts.
If you wish to join me on your own journey of self-discovery please do leave me comments in what I plan to make a daily sharing for the next 40 days.
Please feel free to share this post if you think it will help others.”
Self-care for 40 days and beyond
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