Self-Compassion Workshop

ABSTRACT

This workshop covers the topic of self-compassion. In a recent analysis, researchers found that perfectionism is on the rise. In Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, people felt an increase in pressure exerted on them by others, demands made on themselves, and demands made on others. It can seem that the pace of life is quickening, competition is getting more competitive, inequality is rising, and digital technologies can make it hard to relax. Taken together, these trends suggest that now is the time to learn self-compassion.

This may be a new topic for many students, and many might harbor misunderstandings about the concept. This workshop presents a specific framework of self-compassion that includes three parts: A) mindfulness (acknowledging struggles without inflating their importance), B) common humanity (a recognition that no one is perfect and everyone experiences struggle), and C) self-kindness (being nice to one’s self). It also helps students to explore their relationship with their inner critic and practice responding to it with a compassionate voice.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify the three components of self-compassion
• Explain the difference between the inner critic and the inner compassionate voice