4 Self-Compassion Questions to Start Your School Day

Check out more reflection questions like these in the full 30 Days of Self-Compassion Ebook.

In my experience as a health coach I’ve found that helping my clients foster a mindset of self-compassion is key to preventing burnout during a tough school year.

And for many, this school year with all of its curveballs has been one of the toughest (If no one has told you yet, you are an unbelievable rockstar for switching basically overnight from classroom to virtual teaching!).

But we also know that teachers are pretty much always asked to do a lot, and sometimes that amount is unrealistic for one human being to take on. Let me tell ya, that can be an extremely stressful position to be in, especially if you’re a people pleaser or a perfectionist.

If you’ve ever been stressed out by the daily demands of teaching, a daily self-compassion practice can help. After all, when things get stressful, the last thing you need is the added stress of being hard on yourself.

This week I went Live on Facebook to share 4 questions you can use daily to foster a mindset of self-compassion.

You can watch that very same video below! For my visual learners, scroll further down for the written version :D

And if you love this daily practice, make sure to check out the full 30 Days of Self-Compassion Ebook here for more reflections, mantras, and activities.

To start your day off on a self-compassionate foot, I recommend journaling on the questions below for about 5-10 minutes. Really not into journaling? You can also meditate on each question, speak your answers out loud in the car or the shower, share your answers with a loved one or buddy…whatever works for you and your lifestyle!

1. What is ONE thing I can do today to feel good in my body?

It is so important to plan something into your day to recognize your own humanity. In the digital age, it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like we need to be “on” and working perfectly 24/7. In reality, we are humans with sensitive bodies that need attention and care. This one “thing” could be related to movement, nutrition, sleep, or hydration. It could be that you want to wear a certain outfit, take a long bubble bath, or get a massage. Your one thing could stay the same for a whole week or change day-to-day. It’s up to you, but choosing just one will help give you a focus without overwhelming you (because I know you have lots of other stuff to do!).

2. What is ONE thing I can do today to feel good in my mind?

Having some kind of mindfulness or spiritual practice each day can be so beneficial for mental health and stress management. People vary greatly on what type of mindfulness works for them, so feel free to experiment! Some options include reading a favorite book, engaging in a creative activity, spending time in nature, calling family, and doing a type of meditation that resonates with you.

3. What is a kind “message to me” I can remind myself of throughout the day?

In the 30 Days of Self-Compassion series we talked about becoming familiar with your inner critic, and the common themes that critic tends to bully you with. This kind “message to me” could simply be the antithesis of what your inner critic says. If they say “I’m not good enough”, you could gently remind yourself, “I am good enough”. If they say “I’m such a failure at this”, you could gently remind, “I’m still in the learning process for this”. Other helpful reminders are things like “I’m doing the best I can”, “I’m a human being”, and “I don’t have to do it all today. One step at a time.”

4. What is ONE thing I love about myself?

A general gratitude practice can do wonders to start your day off on a positive foot. But, even if you already have a gratitude practice, how often do you give thanks for yourself? The more you focus on your positive points, the more you will continue to notice them throughout the day.

I hope you are able to copy these questions down and come back to them often.

They are great as a daily practice, but you can benefit anytime you think to use them. I hope you find them helpful :)

If you liked this post, please share it with a teacher you care about! Something I’ve learned while talking to people about self-compassion is that we could ALL use a little bit more of it <3

And don’t forget to grab your copy of 30 Days of Self-Compassion for a full journey away from self-criticism and towards self-kindness.