I don’t know how it is that I am just learning about self-compassion this late in life, how I missed these valuable lessons and tools in my early development. As I read about self-compassion, I am struck by how much photography, and especially my film work, has helped me to embrace self-kindness. Unexpected results, failures, imperfections—they are all part of the process.
“Self-compassion entails being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate, rather than ignoring our pain or flagellating ourselves with self-criticism. Self-compassionate people recognize that being imperfect, failing, and experiencing life difficulties is inevitable, so they tend to be gentle with themselves when confronted with painful experiences rather than getting angry when life falls short of set ideals.”—Dr. Kristin Neff