Befriend Yourself
This week, Rosie unpacks the power of self-compassion. Today, she invites us to give ourselves grace when things don't turn out the way we'd hoped.
Try 14 days freeBetter mental health starts with Headspace. Unrivaled expertise to make life feel a little easier, using guided meditations, mindfulness tips, focus tools, sleep support, and dedicated programs.
(light music) Headspace Studios. Hi, everyone. It's Rosie. Welcome to Radio Headspace and to Tuesday. Today we're continuing our exploration of self-compassion, and I wanna share a very personal experience: my journey as a first-time author. Because really what better way to understand self-compassion than the rollercoaster ride of writing a book. When I set out to write my book, I was brimming with ideas and enthusiasm. But soon reality hit: the self-doubt, the fear of rejection, the pressure to create something meaningful. It was all there staring me dead in the face. And that's our focal point for today. How do we embrace self-compassion when we're pushing our boundaries, when we most likely won't get it right on the first try. Something that's helped me during those times is befriending myself. Befriending ourselves is so important because our thoughts mostly go unchecked. We can say anything to ourselves at any time, good or bad. But when we tell a friend what we're feeling, they speak kindly to us. And through self-compassion, we can learn to do that for ourselves. I sadly wasn't befriending myself when I wrote that first book. At times, I stared at a blank page. The cursor blinking back at me, mirroring my insecurities. I questioned my abilities and my worthiness, which brings me to the day I received the first draft of my manuscript. I opened the email expecting constructive feedback and suggestions, but what I saw shattered my confidence in an instant. The document was marked up with red underlines. As I scrolled through the pages, seeing the corrections and critiques from three different people, I felt a wave of discouragement wash over me. I questioned whether I had what it takes to be a writer, whether my words are worthy of being shared with the world. The inner critic grew louder and louder, fueling my self-doubt and making me question every sentence I had written. So I did what I normally do when I get overwhelmed. I went outside. I listened to the birds, took some deep breaths, and walked it out. In that moment, self-compassion became my lifeline. Instead of succumbing to the weight of my insecurities, I took a step back and gave myself a friendly reminder that writing is a process and a first draft is meant to be imperfect. I acknowledged that I was in a vulnerable state and it was natural to feel shaken by the feedback. I gave myself some time to see my editor's remarks, not as a reflection of my worth as a writer but as an opportunity for growth and improvement. And that's something we all can do. Give yourself grace. Whether it's a new role at work, launching a business, or finally getting to that passion project, tell yourself that it's okay to have off days or to feel stuck. These moments don't define your worth. They're part of the journey. And remember, we can allow ourselves to feel disappointment and frustration, but...
Details
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.
Look after your mind
Proven guided meditations and programs to help you stress less, sleep more soundly, and better navigate life’s challenges
Science-backed
Studies show that using Headspace for 30 days can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve overall well-being
Explore 1000+ expert-led exercises
Access our library of meditations, breathing exercises, and guidance videos for stress, sleep, focus, everyday anxiety , parenting, and more.
Member reviews
Hear from some of our members
Your app brings so much peace and tolerance to our home.
Rachel
UK
Changing my thoughts has allowed me to change my life.
Davide
London
The stress and loneliness courses … taught me how to comfort myself.
Alicia
Canada
Headspace provides me with … a connection to myself, and a disconnection from negative thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
Keri
UK
Related to 'Befriend'
- © 2024 Headspace Inc.
- Terms & conditions
- Privacy policy
- Consumer Health Data
- Your privacy choices
- CA Privacy Notice