The strongest need for self-compassion is in some ways during the difficult situations because that is when we are the most sensitive to our own judgments. In the case of exam or interview anxiety, the consequences of a bad performance (failure itself, judgment of others, future prospects) tend to make us insecure, preoccupy our limited mental space with intrusive unwanted thoughts, taking us away from the present and consequently our agency to influence it. In some situations, despite our best efforts, things don't work out as we hope. Test failures and job loss and less-than-perfect performances happen universally, yet can make us feel isolated, unworthy and inadequate.
While some individuals are able to take such things into their stride, it does not always come as naturally to others. Here's the good news though: self-compassion can be learnt. It can be developed and practiced through participation in exercises of self-reflection, practicing self-care consciously and deliberately, and engaging in authentic self-expression, areas which you may be able to find addressed in various sections of the website.
What we don't realize is that it is genuinely alright and in fact quite natural to fail at some things, that there is always a place to move forward and that it doesn't mean we are actually undeserving of a job/an admission to a school/advancement. And it certainly doesn't mean we are undeserving of love or support (a common mistake we make to equate the one with the other). Self-compassion allows us to accept that all is not always perfect, and be at peace with it. It allows us to be truly present in the moment and feel safe to try again.
Yes!
The strongest need for self-compassion is in some ways during the difficult situations because that is when we are the most sensitive to our own judgments. In the case of exam or interview anxiety, the consequences of a bad performance (failure itself, judgment of others, future prospects) tend to make us insecure, preoccupy our limited mental space with intrusive unwanted thoughts, taking us away from the present and consequently our agency to influence it. In some situations, despite our best efforts, things don't work out as we hope. Test failures and job loss and less-than-perfect performances happen universally, yet can make us feel isolated, unworthy and inadequate.
While some individuals are able to take such things into their stride, it does not always come as naturally to others. Here's the good news though: self-compassion can be learnt. It can be developed and practiced through participation in exercises of self-reflection, practicing self-care consciously and deliberately, and engaging in authentic self-expression, areas which you may be able to find addressed in various sections of the website.
What we don't realize is that it is genuinely alright and in fact quite natural to fail at some things, that there is always a place to move forward and that it doesn't mean we are actually undeserving of a job/an admission to a school/advancement. And it certainly doesn't mean we are undeserving of love or support (a common mistake we make to equate the one with the other). Self-compassion allows us to accept that all is not always perfect, and be at peace with it. It allows us to be truly present in the moment and feel safe to try again.