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| Thanks to Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for the Link-up | |
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| Title: Self-Compassion Author: Krisin Neff Genre: Psychology/Mental Health Reading Category: Cross Reference |
〰First Line〰
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This kind of compulsive concern with I, me and mine isn't the same as loving ourselves.
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Synopsis: (From Goodreads)
The
relentless pursuit of high self-esteem has become a virtual religion.
Our ultracompetitive culture tells us we need to be constantly above
average to feel good about ourselves, but there is always someone more
attractive, successful, or intelligent than we are. And even when we do
manage to grab hold of high self-esteem for a brief moment, we can't
seem to keep it. Our sense of self-worth goes up and down like a
Ping-Pong ball, rising and falling in lockstep with our latest success
or failure.
Fortunately, there is an alternative to self-esteem that many experts believe is a better and more effective path to happiness: self-compassion. The research of Dr. Kristin Neff and other leading psychologists indicates that people who are compassionate toward their failings and imperfections experience greater well-being than those who repeatedly judge themselves. This book powerfully demonstrates why it's so important to be self-compassionate and give yourself the same caring support you'd give to a good friend.
Using solid empirical research, personal stories, practical exercises, and humor, Dr. Neff—the world's foremost expert on self-compassion—explains how to heal destructive emotional patterns so that you can be healthier, happier, and more effective.
Fortunately, there is an alternative to self-esteem that many experts believe is a better and more effective path to happiness: self-compassion. The research of Dr. Kristin Neff and other leading psychologists indicates that people who are compassionate toward their failings and imperfections experience greater well-being than those who repeatedly judge themselves. This book powerfully demonstrates why it's so important to be self-compassionate and give yourself the same caring support you'd give to a good friend.
Using solid empirical research, personal stories, practical exercises, and humor, Dr. Neff—the world's foremost expert on self-compassion—explains how to heal destructive emotional patterns so that you can be healthier, happier, and more effective.
〰First Thoughts〰
Over my Christmas break, I've been finishing up a couple of books by leadership expert John C. Maxwell. In one of the volumes, Maxwell makes the point that if a leader has little to no self-compassion, leading with care and concern for others will be downright impossible, and recommends Neff's book for a deeper dive into the subject. My hope for this book is that it truly explains self-compassion, the psychological and relational ramifications of the lack of it, and well-studied and practiced strategies for how to walk in less harshness with oneself. My fear is that it will be a rambling, let's fill a page with platitudes and little information type of book. We'll see.
〰Last Thoughts〰
Book completed 1/16/25
Rating: 1/2 star
Conclusions: I feel a bit duped by the book, but not through any fault of the author. It was mentioned favorably in another book I was reading that was in the Christian genre. While books do not have to be Christian--or even religious--in nature for me to enjoy and glean from, for something as serious as mental health I'd like my reading selections to somewhat align with my beliefs, or at least be a reasonable companion to them. This book was neither of those things. Neff's work came across as very "woo-woo" and New Age, and was rife with conflicting messages about positive vs. negative emotion, self-esteem, and self-soothing. The breathy narrator of the audiobook didn't help matters either. I continued to read in the hopes I could find some common ground with the author, but after nine chapters with no connection, I finished the book purely out of defiance.
Rating: 1/2 star
Conclusions: I feel a bit duped by the book, but not through any fault of the author. It was mentioned favorably in another book I was reading that was in the Christian genre. While books do not have to be Christian--or even religious--in nature for me to enjoy and glean from, for something as serious as mental health I'd like my reading selections to somewhat align with my beliefs, or at least be a reasonable companion to them. This book was neither of those things. Neff's work came across as very "woo-woo" and New Age, and was rife with conflicting messages about positive vs. negative emotion, self-esteem, and self-soothing. The breathy narrator of the audiobook didn't help matters either. I continued to read in the hopes I could find some common ground with the author, but after nine chapters with no connection, I finished the book purely out of defiance.
So, what's the first line of the book you're currently reading?
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