REVISITING How to Thrive: Compassion and Being Your Own Best Friend

We’re revisiting our How to Thrive series co-hosted with positive psychotherapist Marie McLeod for Mental Health Month. This series first went to air in late 2021 - almost 12 months ago - while How to Thrive, the documentary, was still in production. It is now out in the world and showing in cinemas all over the country.

"If only each of us realized the full extent to which all our problems, fears, and desires are shared by the rest of humanity, we'd all be so much more connected, self-forgiving, vulnerable, open, and free." 

In this, the 5th episode of our new weekly podcast series "How To Thrive" Marie and Ellen explore the fourth "beam" of the BEACON model: Compassion. 

It's relatively easy to feel compassion for others but practicing self-compassion is more challenging. Why, when we would give a friend facing struggle words of encouragement, do we beat ourselves up for not reaching expectations? 

And how is self compassion a super power? 

We discuss the answers and more in this episode.

Listen in to hear Marie and I ask:

What is compassion? 
How does it differ from kindness and empathy? 
Why is balance is important and how do we avoid 'empathy fatigue'? 
Why is it important to pay attention to our self-talk? 
What are the most common stumbling blocks on the road to self-compassion? And what are the tips for overcoming them? 
What are the three steps to self-compassion? 

Your quest for this week: Recall a time when you're were not proud of the way you showed up. How did you take the more self-compassionate route? Did you follow the three steps to self-compassion? (notice the moment, know that we are perfectly imperfect, and bring the intent to soothe ourselves rather than beat ourselves up) 

Tell us about it, we'd love to hear from you! 

Resources mentioned in this episode: Marie's website - needtoseesomeone.com and resources here. 

The Compassionate Mind (Compassion Focused Therapy) by Paul Gilbert 

Awakening Compassion at Work: The Quiet Power That Elevates People and Organizations by Monica C. Worline and Jane E. Dutton 

The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky 

Kristin Neff's The three elements of self-compassion 

Developing the Indomitable Gift of Compassion with Dr. Stan Steindl 

The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman 

Want to become a Potential Psychology Podcast VIP? You can now become a special VIP member of the Potential Psychology Podcast community with access to bonus episodes - the first of which is now ready and waiting for you. Dr Mike Rucker, co-host of our most recent podcast series on Fun and Wellbeing, and I are discussing the importance of making time for fun and positive experiences in our workplaces with tips on better email and meeting management and the kind of workplace we need to really thrive. 

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