People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
The cliché, “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” is irritating because of its overuse, but nonetheless, I think it’s a good piece of advice. A recent NYT article* makes the claim that most of us view our own actions much more harshly than we do the actions of others, causing us to feel worthless, hopeless, and unimportant, as well as limiting our productivity! Caregivers tend to be especially hard on themselves—their work often relentless, thankless, and tough to get “right” for the persons in their care.
The author of the article offers a 3-step approach to practicing self-compassion, the antidote to self-criticism. Try practicing one or all of these tips the next time a bout of self-doubt hits.
- Interrupt the spiral of negative thinking by doing something you care about or enjoy, like calling a friend.
- Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones, such as “You’re doing your best,” or “We all make mistakes.”
- Practice treating yourself as you might treat a friend.
Warm regards,
Rebecca Hauder BSN, M.Ed.