SLOW-MO GR: Being kind to myself (18th to 22nd of January)

[scared01]

How might we tackle resistance or obstacles to being kinder to ourselves?

hmm i guess thats where the acceptance and seeing things comes into it. if we can accept our mistakes and accept that we need help it can be abit easier to be kinder to ourselves. Being able to see it from another perspective can be helpful, almost like treating ourselves as a friend if that makes sense

[scared01]

Can you think of an example of when you would have liked to be kinder to yourself and how you think it would have helped at the time?

i can think of quite a few but i think the main one would have to be when i first started my mh journey. I struggled to accept that i had an issue and that i really needed some help even when i was suicidal and self harming to me that was normal because thats how i coped. i hated myself for needing help because i was the strong one, the one who kept everything together, the one who helped others and not the one needing help. i wasnt kind to myself at all, nothing i did or said to myself or anyone else said to me changed my perspective of what a horrible person i am.

i think if i had of been kinder to myself, it wouldve helped me to see that i needed help and there were people willing to help me as well. this wouldve made accessing and allowing help much easier and in turn helped to cope and heal 

[WheresMySquishy]

Can you think of an example of when you would have liked to be kinder to yourself and how you think it would have helped at the time?
It's hard to think of a single example because I feel like I should be kind to myself more often. When I was in high school, I thought that having anything less than an A grade meant that I was a failure. I was also scared about what people thought of me. I wish I hadn't spent so much time thinking about those things and did other things such as focusing on my hobbies and life skills.
@scared01  Your story resonated with me so much and reading it made me feel less alone. Similarly, I would have thoughts that I should be ashamed for seeking help because other people were going through a lot worse. I feel like seeking myself more positively would have made me more aware of my strengths and able to open up to others more.

[scared01]

im so glad you can resonate and it helps you feel less alone @WheresMySquishy
i also relate to pressuring myself into having A grades and anything less was a failure. it becomes tricky when that happens hey

[Sophia-RO]

It sounds like you went through some really tough times @scared01. I think you have raised some really important points about being kind to ourselves, especially in moments where it is needed You sound so strong and brave for getting through these hard times. @WheresMySquishy it is nice that you felt less alone after reading Scared01's story, it sounds like you have been through some tough times too . It's so awesome that you have been able to acknowledge some of the positive aspects when sharing your story with us here.

[musicfan_xo]

Can you think of an example of when you would have liked to be kinder to yourself and how you think it would have helped at the time?

Oh goodness, way too many times. I hate myself inside and out, I don't like anything about myself. This is a hard question for me.

Sorry my answers aren't the best everyone. 

@Sophia-RO @Milkninja222 @Lost_Space_Explorer5 @A_Friend @WinterCalvino @hunginc 

@WheresMySquishy @Kaylee-RO @featuringme @scared01 @Alexarose 

[scared01]

thank you @Sophia-RO

[Lost_Space_Explorer5]

I'm a bit behind on the questions sorry guys haha

What kind of skills should we keep in mind when trying to be kinder to ourselves?

I reckon talking to ourselves like we would a friend, like some others have mentioned I think is a good one. Also trying to generate some self compassion (which can be super hard and needs practice)

How might we tackle resistance or obstacles to being kinder to ourselves?

Being mindful that being kinder to ourselves is a learning process and habits are hard to overcome. Taking it a step at a time and not getting down on ourselves with set backs.

Can you think of an example of when you would have liked to be kinder to yourself and how you think it would have helped at the time?

TW I would have liked to be kinder to myself when I was hurting myself back in high school and been nicer to myself about my social skills and appearance. It's so hard when society tells you to hate yourself. It would have been easier to get out of some of the loops I'm stuck in now because I feel I was younger and could have bounced back. I would have liked to have reached out for support earlier but fear of judgement got in the way. I guess it's too late to change that now and all I can do is try and be kind to myself going forward

[A_Friend]

Can you think of an example of when you would have liked to be kinder to yourself and how you think it would have helped at the time?

I would have liked to be kinder to myself during year 12 and my first year of university. I had such high expectations for myself and refused to consider what was realistic or achievable for myself. I think what would have helped me was t be kind person or friend that I needed and this would have helped with self-awareness that i needed

[Wathan]

Hi everyone! Welcome to the last day of slow-mo GR. It has been a great discussion with everyone’s responses. Hope everyone has enjoyed talking about how to be kinder to ourselves! 
Me time

Here is the question for the day! 

What are 3 things you can do to be kinder to yourself right now or in the next few days?