Self-Compassion and Hope
There are so many emotions that come up around fertility, like hope, fear, frustration, or grief. Learn how to let yourself feel them without judgment.
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Hey there, it's Rosie, and welcome to this meditation on self-compassion and hope. Today we're navigating the complexities of this journey, acknowledging that it's about so much more than a journey to pregnancy. It's about a deep desire to become a parent, the longing for a family, and the rollercoaster of emotions that come with it. For now, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on what comes up for you during this process. We put so much pressure on ourselves, our bodies, that we can often end up feeling quite disconnected, and it's important to create moments where we cultivate self-compassion and hope. Notice where you are in your process. If there are feelings that make you anxious, if there's frustration or even grief, whatever it is, know that you're not alone and it's okay to feel whatever you're feeling right now. For me, often my mind was crowded by negative thinking. Using this practice to create some mental space and by practicing this compassion technique really helped me navigate my own journey. You're doing great. Even if it feels challenging, you're not alone. Take your time and when you're ready, find a comfortable position, whether you're seated on a chair or on the floor. Allow yourself to settle into your body, inviting a sense of ease into your mind. Start by taking a few deep breaths. Inhale deeply through your nose, feeling the air fill your lungs, and exhale slowly through your mouth, releasing any tension or distractions. Just taking a moment to become aware of your environment, noticing what is present, and now gently bringing your attention back to the body, starting to get a sense of how the body's feeling in this moment, noticing any areas of tension or discomfort, allowing them to soften with each breath, taking a moment to set your intention for this session. Perhaps it's to cultivate a general sense of self-compassion, or to find hope amidst uncertainty, or simply to be present with whatever arises. Take your time. There's no rush. As you focus on your breath, sensing where you feel it in your body, noticing how each breath is unique, gently guiding you into the present moment. As you continue to follow the breath, staying present with one breath after the next, one comes in and the other goes, gently ask yourself, what do I need to nurture self-compassion and hope in this moment? Allow yourself to sit with this question, observing any thoughts or emotions that arise, as you continue to breathe, noticing any tension in your shoulders, still noticing what is coming up for you right now. As you shift your attention back to your body and back to your breath, take a few moments here. If you can, try to carry the sense of self-compassion and hope with you throughout your day, knowing that you're supported and worthy of self-compassion....
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About your teachers
- More about Andy
A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.
- More about Eve
Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.
- More about Dora
As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.
- More about Kessonga
Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.
- More about Rosie
Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.
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