I think we've all can think of times where we've been compassionate towards another person.

And self-compassion is exactly that, but directed towards ourself.

It doesn't take away the suffering. It's really holding space for the suffering in a kind way,

and not making it worse by engaging in criticism and punishment and judgment.

The thing that's interesting to know is self-criticism actually does work.

If you beat yourself up enough, often you will do the thing you don't want to do,

but there is another consequence to engaging in that behavior.

Let's also be gentle with ourselves given that we don't know how to do it right and that

we have engaged in these behaviors because you're only doing the best you can with the knowledge

that you know and with the instincts that you have.

Welcome to Disordered. This is episode number 27. My name is Kimberly Quinlan. I'm a marriage and family

therapist in the state of California and I'm an OCD specialist. I have no idea who these two numskowler are,

but let's introduce them anyway. Hi, I'm Joshua Fletcher. I'm a psychotherapist based in the UK.

Go under the social media name Anxiety Josh and I'm Joshua Fletcher. I'm a psychotherapist based in the UK. Go under the social media name Anxiety Josh, and I'm a previous sufferer of anxiety. And I am Drew Linzalata, the second

numskill in the lineup after our first official guest. I'm a grad student and a therapist in

training in the state of New York here in the States and also a former sufferer of anxiety and depression for many, many years,

and now one of the co-hosts of this mind podcast.

Welcome, Kim.

Thanks for having me.

I'm excited.

Our first official guest on Disordered, someone who we respect highly in regard as a good friend,

and someone who knows a stuff so we can't wait to

...