Techniques for Cultivating Self-Compassion: Self-Kindness, Mindfulness, and Common Humanity

Self-compassion can be practised in brief moments. Optical practice staff can use the three elements - self-kindness, mindfulness and common humanity - before, during or after difficult shifts to change the tone of their inner response.

Three practical habits

• Self-kindness: use the language you would offer a respected colleague: "This is hard, and I can take the next step."
• Mindfulness: name the feeling without exaggeration: "I am noticing guilt" or "frustration is here."
• Common humanity: recall that difficulty, imperfection and strong reactions are part of optical practice work.

A short check-in can help: What happened? What am I feeling? What would I say to someone else? What is one responsible next step?

Clinical role example

Self-compassion is a skill. It becomes easier to access when practised in small, ordinary moments, not only after major stress.