DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/2663-4619/113/53-58
Marziya Azmammadova
Azerbaijan State University of Economics
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7011-1222
psychologist.marziyaa@gmail.com
Self-Compassion: A Psychological Perspective
Abstract
Self-compassion entails being kind, understanding, and tolerant toward oneself in moments of failure or mistakes, rather than adopting a self-critical stance. First explored by Neff, self-compassion is conceptualized as an individual's ability to recognize and accept their negative emotions, acknowledging that these feelings arise as a natural part of the human experience. It involves understanding that negative emotions and adverse experiences are universal and can happen to anyone. Despite experiencing distress, individuals practicing self-compassion maintain a sense of kindness and love toward themselves. Virtually everyone encounters painful experiences, and suffering is an inevitable part of life. Achieving a peaceful life requires recognizing suffering as an inherent aspect of existence and developing the resilience to cope with it. Self-compassion comprises three interrelated subcomponents, which, although conceptually distinct, function as a unified system in various ways.
Research findings indicate that self-compassion directly contributes to an individual's well-being. Individuals who internalize the concept of common humanity—one of the subcomponents of self-compassion—tend to preserve their cultural values, respect the values of other cultures, uphold fundamental democratic principles such as justice, equality, and freedom, and align their interactions with these ethical standards. Given that self-compassion is a relatively new concept, yet one that significantly enhances well-being, I have found it pertinent to explore this topic in depth.
Keywords: self-compassion, common humanity, mindfulness, well-being