So You Screwed Up

Compassion. 

The definition of compassion, according to Merriam-Webster, is ‘sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it’. 

So it’s not only seeing someone’s distress, misfortune, sadness, or situation, but also wanting to help them out of it. 

Usually we use the concept of compassion with other things, like people or animals.

And while I believe it’s extremely important to have compassion for others, I also think we tend to hold it hostage when it comes to being compassionate with ourselves.

Think back to anytime you’ve screwed up.

It could be a major screw-up, a minor one, or just a cringey and embarrassing moment.

What do we tend to do with those moments?

We BEAT OURSELVES UP.

We replay the situation again and again on a loop in our mind. We think of what we should have said or done. Or should have not said or done. Or we use it as an excuse to be horribly mean to ourselves, and punish ourselves for the rest of eternity.

Then one day, we can’t figure out why we’re stuck. We want to improve our mindset, but struggle. We want to be free, but still feel trapped in our past mistakes.

We need to apply this compassion thing to ourselves in order to lift that pressure.

Self-compassion can be a hard thing. It’s much easier to help others than ourselves.

But here’s a life hack: When you go back in your memory to that time you made the mistake, see yourself how you’d see your daughter. Or son. Or pet. (Or insert important person/thing here)

You’d wrap your arms around them and assure them it would be ok.

You’d help them learn to forgive themselves, and move forward.

You’d help squash the guilt and pain that comes with a lack of self-compassion.

You’d help them realize they’re still amazing and worthy.

And they’d love you for it.

Now imagine if you could give that compassion to yourself… 

Not only could you move forward, but you might even love yourself even more.

And self-love? Yep. You guessed it. Luxuriously Dope. 🖤