Day 08 | Compassion

kəm-ˈpa-shən |as in kindness | the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune

Today, we start the second part of this year's self-care journey: The Action. 

Welcome to Day 8, and the start of Part 2 of your journey: Action. You took a huge step yesterday by making a clear decision about your self-care. Today, the action we focus on is sustaining that decision with compassion. 

True strength is gentle. You will have days when you mess up, when you miss the routine you’ve built, or when you simply can't follow through on your decision. Please know that’s okay. We are all human after all, and none of this exists in a vacuum. It's important to remember that beating yourself up isn't helpful, and it's definitely unnecessary. That self-criticism is not motivation; it's a huge energy drain. Compassion is what allows you to sustain the work when willpower fails temporarily. It means approaching your own flaws, mistakes, and exhaustion with the same deep sympathy and desire to help that you show to a struggling friend. 

Your commitment today is to identify where you are being unnecessarily hard on yourself. If you find yourself slipping out of your routine this week, your immediate action should not be self-criticism; it should be kindness. Compassion means acknowledging that you are doing your best, especially during a busy season. When you lead your self-care journey with compassion, you preserve the energy you need to forgive, restart, and continue the routine tomorrow.

JOURNAL PROMPTS

• Identify one persistent, negative thought you have about yourself when you miss a goal. How can you lovingly rephrase that thought using genuine compassion?
• Describe a recent situation where you failed to meet an expectation (internal or external). What would you say to a friend in that situation, and how will you apply that same compassion to yourself?
• Describe a time when you demonstrated true inner strength by choosing vulnerability or gentleness over pushing harder.

TODAY'S GIFT

When I first sat down to work with today's intention I knew that I wanted to incorporate rose. If we've met in person, or if you've been a customer for awhile, you know that floral scents are not my favorite. THAT SAID, I think there is something very special about rose and what it can offer to our daily lives. While I am not the biggest fan of florals, there is something so sweet and delicate about wild roses that reminds me of how we need to hold ourselves. So as you're sitting with yourself and practicing compassion, as you're learning not to be so critical, so hard on yourself, let this oil wrap you in a big hug. Let it be the balm to your bruises. This oil is a box exclusive and not something I'll make and stock. 

These oils are meant to be used for many things. They can be used directly on the skin. You can add them to the bath. If you dress candles for ritual, this oil would be a great addition to any rituals surrounding self-love, compassion, understanding, and inner peace.