Q&As with Kristin
This weeks question
Recently Added
The most "popular" / most discussed
See what Kristin has to say in response to member’s questions about different aspects of self-compassion practice. Â Selected dialogues are drawn from monthly Conversations with Kristin.
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Personal Self-Compassion Practice
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Sharing Self-Compassion
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Self-Compassion and Relationships
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Self-Compassion Concepts/Terminology
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Working with Self-Criticism and Difficult Emotions
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Fierce Self-Compassion
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Miscellaneous
Why it’s natural to criticize ourselves and how to shift to self-compassion (5:15)
Kristin talks about why it’s so human to have an inner critical voice, how we tend to see ourselves as a problem to attack, and what we can do to develop a new, compassionate
How to meet loneliness with self-compassion & do you need to believe for it to work (5:00)
Kristin describes how self-compassion allows us to feel less lonely and more connected with others. She clarifies that you need to practice it even if you don’t believe it at
The ways backdraft can manifest as sorrow during practice (4:48)
Kristin discusses how backdraft can manifest as sorrow. She goes on to explain how we can be aware of our pain without being overwhelmed by
How self-compassion can be turned inward and outward (3:45)
This exchange explores how both fierce and tender self-compassion can be directed inward or outward—accepting what is, or taking action—depending on what’s most needed in the
Getting started with self-compassion practice (5:50)
This clip highlights accessible ways to begin a self-compassion practice, including touch and the self-compassion break. Resistance is addressed, with support from the Practice
Building secure attachment through self-compassion (4:27)
This exchange explores how consistent self-kindness can create an inner secure base, helping transform insecure attachment patterns and fostering authenticity, trust, and emotional
Easing physical pain with the soften, soothe and allow practice (3:30)
A deeper look at how physical discomfort can be met with compassion through touch, gentle language, and mindful awareness, helping reduce pain by softening resistance and offering
Balancing self-acceptance of ourselves and improvement of our behaviors (5:27)
This clip centers on the difference between accepting ourselves unconditionally and improving our behavior without self-judgment, clarifying that self-compassion supports change, not
Coping with self-punishment with self-care (4:44)
This clip explores how spending time in nature can calm the nervous system, support emotional regulation, and serve as an act of personal
How fierce self-compassion supports self-protection (2:16)
Kristin talks about when self-compassion is fierce and aimed at protecting ourselves from harm, we embody brave, empowered
How to know when self-compassion is working (7:13)
Kristin discusses how to determine whether you’re practicing self-compassion effectively. It isn’t necessarily about how you feel or whether you feel better — it’s about your intention and your genuine desire to be kinder to
Letting go of resistance to waves of emotion (7:14)
This exchange discusses how to shift from using self-compassion to control feelings and experiences to allowing and supporting them, even in moments of
Rebuilding trust and practicing self-forgiveness (5:02)
This video reflects on how compassion supports forgiveness and rebuilding trust after mistakes or
Meeting regret with compassion and repair (5:02)
This exchange explores holding regret with compassion and increasing capacity to make amends with
Addressing compulsive snacking when stressed (2:58)
This video explores how compassion can interrupt stress-related habits like emotional
Blending mindfulness with warmth in practice (4:49)
This exchange compares mindfulness-based practices with compassion-focused approaches and how they can be
Meeting Constant Inner Chatter with Kindness (4:15)
Guidance on how to relate to nonstop thoughts with more gentleness—shifting from resisting the chatter to softening around
Transforming Self-Criticism with Self-Compassion (4:25)
Examines the roots of self-criticism and how practicing compassion creates a new, healthier way of relating to
Self-Kindness in the Workplace (3:05)
Explores how subtle gestures and supportive phrases can help us practice self-kindness at work—even in the midst of meetings, stress, or high
Transforming Regret Through Self-Compassion (3:44)
Explores how regrets often fuel harsh self-judgment, clarifies the difference between guilt and shame, and shows how self-forgiveness opens space for repair and
Balancing Self-Focus with Acceptance Practices (3:11)
Responds to concerns about self-focus, showing how acceptance and commitment practices allow us to cultivate kindness without becoming
How caregivers can teach young children to be self-compassionate (7:28)
Discover how Jamie Lynn Tatera incorporates animals into her parent-child mindfulness and self-compassion classes—a playful and engaging way to teach kids self-compassion and help them truly embrace
How parents can teach their teens to be self-compassionate (10:32)
Discover how Karen Bluth teaches teens how to be self-compassionate through modeling, self-awareness, and comforting
Teaching Self-Compassion to Teens (3:40)
Explores ways to meet teens where they are, offering simple and meaningful practices that resonate with their everyday
How self-compassion can help couples (8:20)
Michelle Becker shares how self-compassion can strengthen relationships by building the emotional resilience we need when our partner can’t always be there for us. She also shares how we can apply the three components of self-compassion in our
How self-compassion impacts our connections with others (4:28)
This questioner beautifully applies the Serenity Prayer to self-compassion, which leads to a discussion about how our practices impact our connection with
How self-compassion supports the shift to forgiveness (5:19)
A discussion about how self-compassion can support the shift from acceptance to forgiveness. The process is framed as gradual and non-linear and doesn’t imply that the pain is forgotten or relationships
How self-compassion influences future generations (4:50)
The conversation centers on how parenting influences self-compassion across generations—through modeling, emotional presence, and the way we respond to
When Negative Feelings Toward Others Impact Our Self-Compassion (5:02)
Explores how difficult relationships can affect our inner kindness, and how self-compassion helps us hold our judgments of others with greater understanding and
The difference between awareness and consciousness (5:00)
This clip examines the distinction between conscious awareness and unconscious awareness, with reflections on how these ideas intersect with science and
Understanding self-worth in relation to self-compassion (3:24)
This exchange explores how self-worth differs from self-compassion and why compassion provides a more stable foundation than
Gender differences in self-compassion practice (3:22)
This video reflects on gender role socialization and why more women than men join self-compassion
Self-Compassion and Shame (9:14)
See Chris Germer discuss how self-compassion is the antidote to shame. Studies show that as self-compassion increases, shame decreases. By cultivating self-compassion, the grip of shame can be
Balancing being kind to ourselves and holding ourselves accountable (6:38)
Kristin shares the science around taking responsibility and making needed changes and how self compassion helps us to learn from our
Creating safety with self-compasion to address negative core beliefs (6:05)
Kristin discusses the role of self compassion to provide the safety needed to address negative core beliefs as well as the benefits of compassion focused
A go-to practice for difficult emotions (4:08)
A daily practice called “soften, soothe, allow” is offered as a way to meet anxiety and fear. The approach blends mindfulness and warmth to create a sense of emotional
Using self-compassion to cope with chronic health conditions (5:15)
This response explores how self-compassion can ease the emotional and physical burden of chronic illness, with attention to nervous system regulation and common
How self-compassion helps us work with shame (4:39)
A deeper look at shame as a natural human emotion, and how self-compassion offers an antidote—replacing isolation and judgment with connection and
Using interoception to connect with emotions in the body (3:39)
The concept of interoception is introduced as a way to connect with emotions through physical sensations, offering insight into how anxiety and fear are processed
Using self-compassion to ease decision fatigue (4:49)
This clip highlights how self-compassion reduces fear of failure, encourages learning from mistakes, and helps create clarity in the face of uncertainty or
Understanding the link between anxiety and emotional eating (2:24)
An exploration of how anxiety may manifest as hunger, with suggestions for how to soothe the body using supportive touch and inner
Grief and healing from heartbreak of the loss of a relationship (6:36)
This exchange explores how self-compassion can support the grieving process—whether from death or a breakup—by allowing space for sorrow, softening self-blame, and reclaiming worth from
Reconnecting with emotions after numbing or shutdown (6:06)
A reflection on how self-compassion creates safety when it’s hard to feel emotions, offering tools to gently re-open the heart while respecting the protective impulse to shut
Decreasing the detrimental effects of self-punishment (11:52)
This exchange addresses how we can hold our natural tendency toward self-criticism and self-punishment with self-compassion as we work to make changes and build healthier
Introducing self-compassion in prisons: overcoming shame (6:50)
This conversation explores bringing self-compassion practices into prison settings, focusing on the resistance of shame and feeling unworthy of
Creating the safety to feel emotions (5:24)
This conversation explores the importance of psychological safety in allowing individuals to experience and express difficult emotions without shutting
Meeting grief with compassion (5:36)
This conversation looks at common humanity while experiencing grief, avoiding comparison while honoring shared human
Shifting into compassionate presence beyond emotions (3:45)
This conversation highlights how self-compassion helps us shift from identifying with painful emotions to a compassionate
Finding balance in challenging times (4:10)
This conversation explores how to stay balanced during turbulent times by using compassionate awareness as a stable
Working with discomfort in self-compassion practice (3:25)
This conversation introduces the concept of ‘backdraft’ and how to meet resistance with warmth and
Meeting Grief with Compassion (5:35)
This conversation explores how to hold grief and loss with compassion, patience, and
Turning Toward Emotions with Self-Compassion (2:41)
This conversation explores whether self-kindness encourages avoidance, clarifying how compassion actually helps us turn toward our emotions with courage and
Strategies for Easing Self-Criticism (2:35)
Outlines practical ways to shift from self-attack to a more supportive inner presence when caught in cycles of harsh
Self-Compassion for Caregivers (6:43)
Highlights why caregivers—often carrying stress, responsibility, and grief—especially need self-compassion to sustain resilience and continue caring for
How self-compassion strengthens resilience in the face of discrimination (12:32)
Watch Sydney Spears discuss how self-compassion strengthens resilience in the face of discrimination. She shares how self-compassion allows us to turn toward our pain with mindfulness, holding our pain and surrounding it with kindness and
Setting boundaries with fierce self-compassion (6:06)
This clip highlights how self-compassion supports healthy boundaries by affirming our needs and encouraging choices that honor both self and others without guilt or
Using compassion to overcome procrastination (5:22)
This exchange looks at how compassion helps address the inner voices driving
How music and songs can evoke self-compassion (2:52)
Kristin talks about the use of music and songs in your self compassion practice. She refers to a few songs that have been shared specifically for this
The impact of self-compassion on performance (4:03)
Evidence from research is used to show how self-compassion boosts performance—by lowering stress and nurturing a supportive inner
Why it’s natural to criticize ourselves and how to shift to self-compassion (5:15)
Kristin talks about why it’s so human to have an inner critical voice, how we tend to see ourselves as a problem to attack, and what we can do to develop a new, compassionate
How to meet loneliness with self-compassion & do you need to believe for it to work (5:00)
Kristin describes how self-compassion allows us to feel less lonely and more connected with others. She clarifies that you need to practice it even if you don’t believe it at
The ways backdraft can manifest as sorrow during practice (4:48)
Kristin discusses how backdraft can manifest as sorrow. She goes on to explain how we can be aware of our pain without being overwhelmed by
How self-compassion can be turned inward and outward (3:45)
This exchange explores how both fierce and tender self-compassion can be directed inward or outward—accepting what is, or taking action—depending on what’s most needed in the
Getting started with self-compassion practice (5:50)
This clip highlights accessible ways to begin a self-compassion practice, including touch and the self-compassion break. Resistance is addressed, with support from the Practice
Building secure attachment through self-compassion (4:27)
This exchange explores how consistent self-kindness can create an inner secure base, helping transform insecure attachment patterns and fostering authenticity, trust, and emotional
Easing physical pain with the soften, soothe and allow practice (3:30)
A deeper look at how physical discomfort can be met with compassion through touch, gentle language, and mindful awareness, helping reduce pain by softening resistance and offering
Balancing self-acceptance of ourselves and improvement of our behaviors (5:27)
This clip centers on the difference between accepting ourselves unconditionally and improving our behavior without self-judgment, clarifying that self-compassion supports change, not
Coping with self-punishment with self-care (4:44)
This clip explores how spending time in nature can calm the nervous system, support emotional regulation, and serve as an act of personal
How fierce self-compassion supports self-protection (2:16)
Kristin talks about when self-compassion is fierce and aimed at protecting ourselves from harm, we embody brave, empowered
How to know when self-compassion is working (7:13)
Kristin discusses how to determine whether you’re practicing self-compassion effectively. It isn’t necessarily about how you feel or whether you feel better — it’s about your intention and your genuine desire to be kinder to
Letting go of resistance to waves of emotion (7:14)
This exchange discusses how to shift from using self-compassion to control feelings and experiences to allowing and supporting them, even in moments of
Rebuilding trust and practicing self-forgiveness (5:02)
This video reflects on how compassion supports forgiveness and rebuilding trust after mistakes or
Meeting regret with compassion and repair (5:02)
This exchange explores holding regret with compassion and increasing capacity to make amends with
Addressing compulsive snacking when stressed (2:58)
This video explores how compassion can interrupt stress-related habits like emotional
Blending mindfulness with warmth in practice (4:49)
This exchange compares mindfulness-based practices with compassion-focused approaches and how they can be
Meeting Constant Inner Chatter with Kindness (4:15)
Guidance on how to relate to nonstop thoughts with more gentleness—shifting from resisting the chatter to softening around
Transforming Self-Criticism with Self-Compassion (4:25)
Examines the roots of self-criticism and how practicing compassion creates a new, healthier way of relating to
Self-Kindness in the Workplace (3:05)
Explores how subtle gestures and supportive phrases can help us practice self-kindness at work—even in the midst of meetings, stress, or high
Transforming Regret Through Self-Compassion (3:44)
Explores how regrets often fuel harsh self-judgment, clarifies the difference between guilt and shame, and shows how self-forgiveness opens space for repair and
Balancing Self-Focus with Acceptance Practices (3:11)
Responds to concerns about self-focus, showing how acceptance and commitment practices allow us to cultivate kindness without becoming
How caregivers can teach young children to be self-compassionate (7:28)
Discover how Jamie Lynn Tatera incorporates animals into her parent-child mindfulness and self-compassion classes—a playful and engaging way to teach kids self-compassion and help them truly embrace
How parents can teach their teens to be self-compassionate (10:32)
Discover how Karen Bluth teaches teens how to be self-compassionate through modeling, self-awareness, and comforting
Teaching Self-Compassion to Teens (3:40)
Explores ways to meet teens where they are, offering simple and meaningful practices that resonate with their everyday
How self-compassion can help couples (8:20)
Michelle Becker shares how self-compassion can strengthen relationships by building the emotional resilience we need when our partner can’t always be there for us. She also shares how we can apply the three components of self-compassion in our
How self-compassion impacts our connections with others (4:28)
This questioner beautifully applies the Serenity Prayer to self-compassion, which leads to a discussion about how our practices impact our connection with
How self-compassion supports the shift to forgiveness (5:19)
A discussion about how self-compassion can support the shift from acceptance to forgiveness. The process is framed as gradual and non-linear and doesn’t imply that the pain is forgotten or relationships
How self-compassion influences future generations (4:50)
The conversation centers on how parenting influences self-compassion across generations—through modeling, emotional presence, and the way we respond to
When Negative Feelings Toward Others Impact Our Self-Compassion (5:02)
Explores how difficult relationships can affect our inner kindness, and how self-compassion helps us hold our judgments of others with greater understanding and
The difference between awareness and consciousness (5:00)
This clip examines the distinction between conscious awareness and unconscious awareness, with reflections on how these ideas intersect with science and
Understanding self-worth in relation to self-compassion (3:24)
This exchange explores how self-worth differs from self-compassion and why compassion provides a more stable foundation than
Gender differences in self-compassion practice (3:22)
This video reflects on gender role socialization and why more women than men join self-compassion
Self-Compassion and Shame (9:14)
See Chris Germer discuss how self-compassion is the antidote to shame. Studies show that as self-compassion increases, shame decreases. By cultivating self-compassion, the grip of shame can be
Balancing being kind to ourselves and holding ourselves accountable (6:38)
Kristin shares the science around taking responsibility and making needed changes and how self compassion helps us to learn from our
Creating safety with self-compasion to address negative core beliefs (6:05)
Kristin discusses the role of self compassion to provide the safety needed to address negative core beliefs as well as the benefits of compassion focused
A go-to practice for difficult emotions (4:08)
A daily practice called “soften, soothe, allow” is offered as a way to meet anxiety and fear. The approach blends mindfulness and warmth to create a sense of emotional
Using self-compassion to cope with chronic health conditions (5:15)
This response explores how self-compassion can ease the emotional and physical burden of chronic illness, with attention to nervous system regulation and common
How self-compassion helps us work with shame (4:39)
A deeper look at shame as a natural human emotion, and how self-compassion offers an antidote—replacing isolation and judgment with connection and
Using interoception to connect with emotions in the body (3:39)
The concept of interoception is introduced as a way to connect with emotions through physical sensations, offering insight into how anxiety and fear are processed
Using self-compassion to ease decision fatigue (4:49)
This clip highlights how self-compassion reduces fear of failure, encourages learning from mistakes, and helps create clarity in the face of uncertainty or
Understanding the link between anxiety and emotional eating (2:24)
An exploration of how anxiety may manifest as hunger, with suggestions for how to soothe the body using supportive touch and inner
Grief and healing from heartbreak of the loss of a relationship (6:36)
This exchange explores how self-compassion can support the grieving process—whether from death or a breakup—by allowing space for sorrow, softening self-blame, and reclaiming worth from
Reconnecting with emotions after numbing or shutdown (6:06)
A reflection on how self-compassion creates safety when it’s hard to feel emotions, offering tools to gently re-open the heart while respecting the protective impulse to shut
Decreasing the detrimental effects of self-punishment (11:52)
This exchange addresses how we can hold our natural tendency toward self-criticism and self-punishment with self-compassion as we work to make changes and build healthier
Introducing self-compassion in prisons: overcoming shame (6:50)
This conversation explores bringing self-compassion practices into prison settings, focusing on the resistance of shame and feeling unworthy of
Creating the safety to feel emotions (5:24)
This conversation explores the importance of psychological safety in allowing individuals to experience and express difficult emotions without shutting
Meeting grief with compassion (5:36)
This conversation looks at common humanity while experiencing grief, avoiding comparison while honoring shared human
Shifting into compassionate presence beyond emotions (3:45)
This conversation highlights how self-compassion helps us shift from identifying with painful emotions to a compassionate
Finding balance in challenging times (4:10)
This conversation explores how to stay balanced during turbulent times by using compassionate awareness as a stable
Working with discomfort in self-compassion practice (3:25)
This conversation introduces the concept of ‘backdraft’ and how to meet resistance with warmth and
Meeting Grief with Compassion (5:35)
This conversation explores how to hold grief and loss with compassion, patience, and
Turning Toward Emotions with Self-Compassion (2:41)
This conversation explores whether self-kindness encourages avoidance, clarifying how compassion actually helps us turn toward our emotions with courage and
Strategies for Easing Self-Criticism (2:35)
Outlines practical ways to shift from self-attack to a more supportive inner presence when caught in cycles of harsh
Self-Compassion for Caregivers (6:43)
Highlights why caregivers—often carrying stress, responsibility, and grief—especially need self-compassion to sustain resilience and continue caring for
How self-compassion strengthens resilience in the face of discrimination (12:32)
Watch Sydney Spears discuss how self-compassion strengthens resilience in the face of discrimination. She shares how self-compassion allows us to turn toward our pain with mindfulness, holding our pain and surrounding it with kindness and
Setting boundaries with fierce self-compassion (6:06)
This clip highlights how self-compassion supports healthy boundaries by affirming our needs and encouraging choices that honor both self and others without guilt or
Using compassion to overcome procrastination (5:22)
This exchange looks at how compassion helps address the inner voices driving
How music and songs can evoke self-compassion (2:52)
Kristin talks about the use of music and songs in your self compassion practice. She refers to a few songs that have been shared specifically for this
The impact of self-compassion on performance (4:03)
Evidence from research is used to show how self-compassion boosts performance—by lowering stress and nurturing a supportive inner