Self-Compassion: A Guide to Going Easy on Yourself

Many of us are our own harshest critics, overlooking our achievements to focus solely on our perceived failures. Such relentless self-criticism is self-defeating and counterproductive.

At Xapa we recognize the importance of self-compassion in achieving personal and professional growth.

How to Go Easy on Yourself

• Focus on the Positives: Concentrate on the positive aspects of any experience, even apparently negative ones. Yes, they are there.
• Set a Joy Alarm: Remind yourself once a day to find the joy in the moment — any moment. Yes, it is there.
• Avoid Dismissive Phrases: Learn to avoid snarky, dismissive language when making an apology or providing constructive criticism.
• Take Responsibility: Don’t confuse self-compassion with making excuses, but accept your shortcomings without being overly harsh on yourself.
• Reframe Negative Self-Talk: Use releasing statements to transform negative self-talk, a skill you’ll learn during the “Go Easy On Yourself” Xperience.
• Your Response Defines You: A mistake or failure doesn’t define you, but how you respond to it does. A growth mindset means learning from setbacks and finding the gift in each situation, however difficult. No one expects you to be perfect, so define success as growing and learning from every experience.
• 80/20 Rule for Self-Care: Balance your self-care routines with the “80 healthy/20 indulgent” choices rule in the “Go Easy On Yourself” Xperience.
• Maintain Balance: Ensure you’re well-rested, well-nourished, and generally in good spirits most days for a balanced approach to self-care.

Support and Reflect

Remember, everyone around you is probably more self-critical of themselves than you’ll ever be of them. In fact, when people get defensive, it’s often a self-protection response to a vulnerability or fear.

Have compassion. Remind yourself and others to go easy on yourselves. Be reflective about mistakes, learn from them, and move on with joy and purpose. Life is short, and supporting each other in our learning journeys is vital. Celebrate small and large wins. Walk with pride, compassion and purpose.

Experience Self-Compassion

Take the “Go Easy on Yourself” Xperience in the Xapa World mobile app and learn to cultivate kindness, embrace self-care, and create a more fulfilling and productive life.

Practicing self-compassion helps us all build a better and more joyful world, one person at a time. That’s Xapa’s mission. Send us your feedback! We want to hear your stories.