Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout
Here is a short extract from Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout, by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer. Chris is running a workshop of the same name in Brighton on 21 September, to coincide with the launch of the book.
Self-compassion is not “self-care”—you know, that list of small acts you can do for yourself presented in employer-mandated webinars and on “wellness” websites. You don’t need to be handed that list again. (Hot baths? Please. Sleep better? When? Eat right? Who’s doing the cooking—to say nothing of the grocery shopping?)
It’s not advice to simply do less, as often offered by well-meaning family and friends. (“Can’t you just let go of a few things?” Like what—the kids, the house, the paycheck?)
It’s not I’m-okay-you’re-okay pablum. The point is when you’re burned out, you’re not okay, and being told you should feel okay implies you should just suck it up.
Self-compassion is a mindset shift that helps you relate to your burnout in a kinder, more productive way. It can be developed through a set of concrete, learnable skills that you practice in the middle of daily life and that don’t require extra time out of your schedule.
The purpose of self-compassion is not to make you feel better. Self-compassion changes the way you deal with the distress of burnout so that you stop avoiding it, beating yourself up for it, or judging yourself as somehow deficient because you can’t do it all.
To attend Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout on 21 September in Brighton get your ticket here. If you’re a Mindful Self-Compassion teacher you can attend a networking event with Chris Germer the day before. For this networking event get your ticket here.
Find other compassion events and retreats here.