Shift Out of Shame

Where ever your inner voice of shame originated from, when you hear it rear its ugly head, acknowledge it for what it is (“Oh, hello there Shame”), and anchor into the present moment with a deep breath. What could you say to yourself instead, to start cultivating an attitude of acceptance and compassion? 

Not sure how to cultivate an attitude of acceptance? Check out the following list and do one item from it every single day. Or, if you have a strategy that works for you, share it in the comments so that we can all learn from and encourage each other!

• Smile at yourself
• Laugh at your mistakes
• Acknowledge the efforts you make, no matter how small
• Practice not taking things personally (Need help with this one? Check out The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz
• Acknowledge that you aren’t, won’t, and don’t ever need to be perfect. Go on, exhale perfectionism and inhale “I am enough”
• Practice interrupting negative self-talk (try “There I go again…” and then anchor back into the present moment)
• Move your body if you start to feel stuck in negative thoughts

​You can not shame yourself into change – shame will serve only to deflate your energy and dampen your self-esteem. So what is the smallest thing you can do today to be more self-accepting? 

Article originally posted 2020/11/18 posted by Susan Guttridge on Lying on the Couch (susanguttridge.wordpress.com)

Shame creates a lack of worth within us. It seeps into our body and our emotions, creating a psychological barrier through fear and disapproval and rejection – so why on earth are we using it against ourselves?
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If you have been shaming yourself as a means to push towards a change you want, I hereby challenge you to try a different approach. Shame creates a shutting down response in the brain – and I want to keep your brain on-line, and help you achieve your desired change with compassion and energy and determination. There will be no shutting down here friends!