Embracing Common Humanity: A Practice in Self-Compassion

The carefully curated tablescapes, meals, and lifestyles seen on social media make it easy to engage in comparison. It only takes seconds to find ourselves creating a narrative of what we "should" be buying, wearing, accomplishing, etc. When we fall into the comparison trap we forget that .it is okay to be imperfect. We push away our humanness.

One powerful approach to self-compassion, advocated by self-compassion researcher, Dr. Kristin Neff, is embracing the concept of common humanity. By recognizing that imperfection and hardship are universal experiences shared by all humans, you can develop a deeper sense of empathy, connection, and self-kindness. Dr. Neff, acknowledges that personal struggles are not unique but are part of the human experience. By embracing common humanity, we can shift tour perspective from self-criticism and self-judgment to one of shared humanity and acceptance.

I've outlined one way to put this principle into practice in daily life:

Lean into community. Connect.

As Brene Brown has said, “Connection is why we're here. We are hardwired to connect with others, it's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.”

Disconnect from the digital world and connect with those around you.

Be truly present.

Common Humanity is Embraced at Tidal Shift Counseling in Summerville. SC

Meaningful connections can sometimes feel elusive. Seeking out community engagement and support groups can create opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges. This sense of belonging fosters a deeper understanding of common humanity and promotes self-compassion.

For instance, a woman dealing with grief might join a local support group or online community where individuals openly share their struggles and offer support to one another. Through these interactions, she realizes that she is not alone in her experience of grief. By extending compassion to others in the group, she simultaneously learns to extend it to herself. As Kristin Neff notes, "When we realize that everyone suffers, we're less likely to feel isolated in our own pain."

Utilizing common humanity as a self-compassion practice offers a powerful response to the pressures of a fast-paced, digital, and modern life. By recognizing that suffering and imperfection are universal experiences shared by all humans, we can create greater empathy, connection, and kindness towards ourselves and aim to extend this towards others well.

If this resonates and you're interested in receiving individual therapy that integrates self-compassion work, contact me or schedule a complimentary.consultation call..