Compassionate Letter Writing

 I have blogged about in the past about Self-Compassion and how it is integral to making life long changes that approves your overall well-being.  I always like to educate my clients on why we are working on something.  When we utilize self-compassion which Dr. Kristen Neff describes as having 3 core components of: Self-Kindness, Common Humanity, and Mindfulness, we are making changes to our brain, specifically our Anterior Cingulate Cortex (whew that is a mouth full).
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In short, our Anterior Cingulate Cortex works like a fulcrum between our Frontal Lobe (our thinking brain) and our Limbic System (our feeling brain).  Our Limbic system in the part of the brain that keeps us safe, it is where our Flight and Fight response lives.  Our Frontal lobe is responsible for reasoning, logic, and language. Just like a teeter-totter when one is up the other is down. 

These prompt you to fill in the blank and focus on whatever is causing your struggles.  For example. I understand showing up and being vulnerable when you put out there your own projects and ideas.  I know that you feel anxiety and fear of failure.  My guidance to you is you are enough, just as you are.  Falling is part of this journey called life and I love you.  Now breathe. 

 
This exercise is a lovely way to practice being self -compassionate and to begin bringing some balance between your emotional brain your thinking brain. Write as many as you need as often as you need.