Living with a sexual interest in children has challenges. Negative thoughts or emotions can trigger a downward spiral, complicating the management of both your interest and behaviour. That’s why it is important to practice self-compassion. Self-compassion can give you valuable tools to live a good life and not harm children.
Understanding self-compassion
Self-compassion involves giving the same care and empathy to yourself as to other people experiencing suffering or difficulty. It is like compassion, but directed inwards.
Here are some ways that you can practice self-compassion.
Create a mental image of a compassionate friend, whether real or imaginary. Visualize their appearance, demeanour, and how they interact with you. Breathe deeply and slowly, then engage in a conversation with this friend about your worries or struggles. Consider the advice they would offer, their tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. Jot down your thoughts, feelings, and the advice provided by your compassionate friend.
Document your negative or critical thoughts and counter them with positive, friendly, and kind responses. Imagine your compassionate friend addressing these thoughts, and note down the compassionate advice you’d offer to a loved one facing similar challenges. After the compassionate response, identify an action you can take to cope with these thoughts.
Allocate time for self-care through soothing activities. This could entail taking a relaxing bath, visiting a serene location, savouring your favourite meal or snack, conversing with a loved one, reading a captivating book, watching a cherished TV show, spending time with your pet, imagining a tranquil space, practicing yoga, basking in the sun’s warmth, or lighting a comforting scented candle. Plan a week ahead with at least one soothing activity per day. Experiment with new activities to gauge their impact on your well-being.
