COMPASSION HEALS: A Real-Life Reminder to Be Gentle With Yourself
Sometimes healing doesn’t arrive as a grand epiphany. Sometimes it shows up as an ordinary moment that quietly rearranges something inside you.
Last week, I was preparing for my weekly yoga nidra class, and I was genuinely excited because the theme was compassion (big surprise, right?).
I sat down at my desk to prep, went to pull my chair closer… and because it gets stuck on my shaggy carpet, I basically have to lift it to move it. As I set it back down, one of the wheels jammed into my foot and broke the skin.
It hurt. A lot.
My first reaction was annoyance—like, really? Right now?
But I paused. I held my foot and took a few slow breaths until the intensity softened, and then I continued prepping.
Later, as I was getting ready to leave my house, I was putting my socks on and noticed I actually had a small cut on my foot. Don’t worry—it wasn’t bleeding (and thank you for being concerned about me). But the moment I noticed the cut, my body instantly softened. I remember thinking: I need to be careful with this. It’s tender, and I don’t want to be rough.
And then it hit me like a lightning bolt (or a wrecking ball, if you prefer).
WHEN SOMETHING IS WOUNDED, We Naturally Respond With Care
When we have a wound, we naturally respond with care.
We don’t criticize it.
We don’t shame it.
We don’t push it around to “toughen it up.”
We protect it, nurture it, and give it time.
We don’t shame it.
We don’t push it around to “toughen it up.”
We protect it, nurture it, and give it time.
Compassion heals.
And it made me wonder how often we forget to treat our emotional wounds the same way.
WHY SELF-CRITICISM DOESN'T HEAL What’s Tender
So many of us fall into criticism, blame, or shame when we’re hurting—thinking that somehow it will motivate us into feeling better about ourselves.
But if you’ve been stuck in that loop, you already know: it doesn’t truly work. Or if it does, it doesn’t last.
Self-criticism might feel like control, but it usually tightens the body and hardens the heart. Compassion does the opposite: it meets the tender places with patience. It makes room for what’s present. It helps us soften enough to actually heal.
THE MOST COMPASSIONATE GIFT: Rest
One of the most compassionate gifts you can offer yourself is rest—returning to that place inside you that is already whole, already worthy, and doesn’t need to be fixed.
This is one reason I love yoga nidra, often called “yogic sleep.” It’s a guided meditation practice designed to help you deeply rest—physically, mentally, and emotionally—without needing to “do it perfectly.”
A TINY RESET You Can Try Today
If you notice you’re being hard on yourself, try this simple reset:
- Inhale slowly through your nose.
- Exhale a little longer than you inhaled.
- Repeat 3 rounds.
- As you exhale, let your shoulders soften.
No fixing. Just a gentle signal to your nervous system: you can unclench now.
LISTEN TO MY FREE YOGA NIDRA Meditation
If you’d like to experience this kind of rest for yourself, I’ve made a free yoga nidra meditation you can listen to anytime.
Access the free meditation here:
If you want to go deeper, I also guide an online yoga nidra class weekly (Tuesdays at noon EST, with replays).
FAQ'S About Yoga Nidra
What is yoga nidra?
Yoga nidra is a guided meditation practice that invites the body and mind into deep rest. You’re usually lying down, listening, and following gentle prompts.
Can yoga nidra help with stress or sleep?
Many people use yoga nidra to support relaxation and better sleep because it helps the body downshift from “go mode” into rest. (It’s not a medical treatment, but it can be a powerful self-care practice.)
Do I need experience with meditation?
No. Yoga nidra is one of the most beginner-friendly practices because you’re guided the whole time—and you don’t need to “clear your mind” to do it.
How long is a yoga nidra practice?
Yoga nidra practices can range from 10 minutes to 45+ minutes. Even a short practice can feel surprisingly restoring.
P.S. Reminder: “being hard on yourself” is not FDA-approved for healing. Side effects include exhaustion.
The information presented here is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The information in this post is subject to interpretation and is an expression of opinion. It is not intended for, and does not replace professional, medical, legal, business, and/or health related opinions and advice. It is not a substitute for counselling or any other type of therapy, or medical advice from qualified professionals.
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