Practicing self-compassion is essential for our wellbeing. By cultivating self-kindness, recognising our shared humanity, and practicing mindfulness, we can free ourselves from self-judgment and shame. Self-compassion allows us to be there for ourselves, embrace our imperfections, and promote a healthier and more fulfilling life.

In this episode, Anya and Mark explore the three pillars of self-compassion: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Anya shares her personal experience with self-compassion and how it has been a game-changer for her. And they touch on the inner critic, fear of judgment, and the need for self-care.

Three prompts

1. What's stopping you from treating yourself with compassion?
2. Are you kinder to others than you are to yourself?
3. How can you be kinder to yourself right now, even just a little?

Resources

• The Power of Vulnerability – Brené Brown’s TEDx talk from 2010
• Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, by Kristin Neff
• The Chimp Paradox: The Acclaimed Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness, by Professor Steve Peters
• Jeremy Bearimy: How Time Works in the Afterlife
• If (‘Brother Square-Toes’—Rewards and Fairies), by Rudyard Kipling
• Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (Lyrics)
• Vast list of self-compassion research
• What is self-compassion?
• What self-compassion is not
• Self-compassion guided practices and exercises
• Anya Pearse, Intuitive advisor and her An Hour of Kindness
• Mark Steadman