Self-Compassion
This mindful practice involves treating yourself kindly during moments of failure or suffering.
What is self-compassion?
This is the emotional process of releasing resentment or judgment toward oneself after wrongdoing.
What is self-forgiveness?
This emotion arises when you feel you are inherently bad or flawed, often based on internalized social standards.
What is shame?
Guilt differs from shame in that it focuses on this, rather than on the self.
What is behavior or actions?
This type of guilt often arises when you feel responsible for something that was outside of your control.
What is survivor’s guilt?
According to Dr. Kristin Neff, this is one of the 3 core components of self-compassion, alongside mindfulness and self-kindness.
What is common humanity?
True or False: Self-forgiveness means forgetting what you did
What is false?
Justified shame can serve this moral function when it prompts us to reconsider our values or actions.
What is self-reflection or moral growth?
This kind of guilt can motivate reparative actions like apologizing or making amends.
What is healthy or justified guilt?
This common form of unjustified shame can develop from childhood experiences, especially in emotionally neglectful or abusive homes.
What is toxic shame?
True or False: Self-compassion means avoiding responsibility for your actions.
What is false?
This type of self-talk often needs to be replaced in order to forgive yourself.
What is harsh inner criticism or negative self-talk?
Feeling shame after betraying someone's trust is an example of this kind of shame.
What is justified shame?
Justified guilt can be an important part of this internal system, helping us stay aligned with our values.
What is conscience or moral compass?
The term for guilt you feel simply for prioritizing your own needs or saying “no” to someone.
What is boundary guilt?
Self-compassion helps reduce this common emotional response that arises from harsh self-criticism.
What is shame?
This is the first step to true self-forgiveness: acknowledging and taking ownership of the harm caused
What is responsibility?
This term describes shame that aligns with a genuine violation of one’s own ethical code, not just external judgment.
What is authentic/justified shame?
Excessive guilt that persists despite efforts to repair can become this, leading to emotional burnout.
What is chronic guilt or toxic guilt?
Unjustified guilt and shame can often be challenged by practicing this cognitive-behavioral strategy that involves questioning distorted beliefs.
What is cognitive restructuring?
This phrase sums up the idea of recognizing you’re not alone in your struggles—an antidote to isolation and shame.
What is common humanity?
Research shows that this trait—often confused with weakness—is crucial for genuine self-forgiveness.
What is humility?
In healing justified shame, it’s important to move toward this, which involves recognizing that your actions don’t define your whole self.
What is self-compassion or self-worth?
In therapy, resolving justified guilt often involves this two-step process:
What is accountability and self-compassion?
When unjustified shame is chronic and internalized, it can form this false belief about your identity or worth.
What is a core negative belief (e.g., "I’m not enough" or "I’m unlovable")?