Kristin Neff on Embracing Self-Compassion to Overcome Self-Criticism
Self-compassion is a much more reliable friend, because even when you fail or you feel inadequate or something has gone terribly wrong in your life, you can still support yourself like a friend and treat yourself with kindness.
What if being kind to yourself could change your life? In this episode of 'The One You Feed', host Eric Zimmer chats with Kristin Neff, a pioneering researcher in the field of self-compassion. Kristin, who holds a Ph.D. in moral development from the University of California at Berkeley, has dedicated her career to studying how self-compassion can transform our relationship with ourselves and the world around us.
She shares her journey into this research, sparked during her post-doctoral work, and the practical tools she's developed to help others cultivate self-compassion. The conversation dives deep into the three pillars of self-compassion: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Kristin explains how these principles can help us treat ourselves with the same care and understanding we offer to a friend, especially when we stumble or feel inadequate.
She contrasts self-compassion with self-esteem, highlighting that the former is a more reliable ally in tough times. The episode also tackles the detrimental effects of constant self-comparison and the healing power of self-soothing practices. If you're looking to be kinder to yourself and build resilience against life's challenges, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice.