My clients probably roll their eyes when I remind them to be gentle with themselves. Heck I roll my own eyes when I urge myself to do the same. We go to therapy for answers, to feel heard, to feel emotionally held, and to gain a better understanding of who we are and why we do the things we do. SUPER easy right? (insert sarcasm here). This is hard work. It can be exhausting, frustrating, annoying, and the absolute worst when you feel like you’re putting in a lot of effort and work to struggle to see any progress. We become riddled with guilt, anxiety, and shame, and we often criticize and analyze our progress or lack thereof. We live in a society where we’re constantly subliminally and sometimes overtly told to “get over it,” or “move on,” which can create an inner dialogue asking ourselves “what’s wrong with you?”
Being gentle with yourself is a complete shift in thinking and being. You’re challenging societal concepts to stop comparing yourself to others and their process. You’re acknowledging that you can move at a pace set by and what is most comfortable for you. Sit in the present and let go of the hustle to heal mentality. Be patient with yourself, use kind language, and go inward creating a new habit of being gentle.
If you aren’t ready to give yourself permission to do so, here’s my reminder to give yourself some grace. You can start by putting your phone on do not disturb, shutting your computer, and taking 5 deep breaths while you acknowledge the work you continue to put in on a daily basis so you can celebrate the progress you have made.
