This week, Angela Stubbs gently guides us within and helps us explore self-destructive patterns with compassion and gentleness.
Most of us know what it feels like to be our own harshest critic. We are stuck in patterns of self-doubt and self-sabotage, unable to fully accept who we are. When such moments occur, we may feel tension or even resistance within ourselves.
In this meditation, Angela Stubbs gently guides us inward and helps us explore these patterns with compassion and gentleness. Through six stages, she invites us to become aware of these feelings, accept ourselves without judgment, and affirm our worth.
Remember that patterns, thoughts, and behaviors related to self-sabotage are just the way we have learned to deal with things in our lives, that is, how we have learned to respond to the stimuli in our lives.
At each stage, we develop a sense of warmth and resilience, creating space to move beyond self-doubt and reconnect with our inner strength. This practice offers an opportunity to release the shackles of self-criticism and embrace a gentler, more patient approach to yourself.
Guided meditation to recognize and release self-sabotaging behavior
Today, let’s take a look at how self-destructive patterns and moments manifest in our lives and see if we can treat ourselves with kindness. We will see how we can work with them. It will look different for everyone. First, find a comfortable position or posture by sitting or lying down. Gently close your eyes. Or, if you’re feeling good, lower your gaze and take a deep breath. Feel your chest expand and your abdomen expand as you breathe. Pause briefly at the top of your breath, slowing down and letting your body calm down. Continue breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, noticing the sensation of your breath. Give yourself time to relax and be here without thinking that you should be somewhere else or doing something else. Next, turn your attention inward and notice the sensations in your body. Feel the weight of your body being supported by the ground or the chair to relieve tension. That tension is in a different place for all of us, so notice where it is for you. To remind yourself that you’re sitting, try rocking gently from side to side to see if you can find your center of gravity. And as you become aware of the sensations in your body and where you feel tightness or tension, allow yourself to be fully connected to the experience of being here, sitting, and being. Next, bring gentle awareness to patterns in your life that may seem self-sabotaging. You don’t have to dig deep into what it is for you. We don’t think about how to judge ourselves for the way we notice self-sabotage and behavior patterns that don’t serve us as part of an ongoing story that makes us even bigger and worse. Rather, we just take inventory and notice, “How does that look to you?” Remember, it looks different for everyone. We’re just trying to recognize it. Does it seem people-pleasing? Maybe it looks like you’re putting other people’s needs before your own. Or maybe you have something to say but don’t seem to say it. Maybe you have a habit of holding back. Or maybe it’s just a harsh inner critic that never shuts up. we all have it. We’re just becoming aware of the spaces in your life where these stories may be more prevalent. Now, let’s change the way we think about these stories. Remember that patterns, thoughts, and behaviors related to self-sabotage are just the way we have learned to deal with things in our lives, that is, how we have learned to respond to the stimuli in our lives. All we’re doing is seeing if we can observe those patterns and behaviors with some degree of kindness. The goal here is not to blame yourself for the fact that these things exist, but rather to accept them with kindness and a little kindness. Notice how difficult or difficult it is to show compassion to those parts of yourself. One way to make this a little easier is to visualize the warmth, kindness, and care you would give to a friend or loved one. Imagine placing your hand on your heart and attracting compassion towards yourself. Place your right hand over your heart, then your left hand over it, and hold that space in your heart for yourself. As you breathe in and out, let go of any self-criticism you may have regarding these patterns. Observe your thoughts as you do this. What do you think about this topic? We like to attach a lot of meaning to our thoughts. The goal here today is to just allow them to be here, recognize that they are here, and that there is no need to do anything about it. You haven’t justified to yourself or to others why you’re here or how you feel about it. So whether you’re thinking about something and you’re feeling self-doubt or frustration, or your inner joy critic decides to pay a visit, see if you can observe it without getting involved and pushing it away. please confirm. If it helps, give yourself a mental mantra that reminds you that you are worthy of kindness. You are enough just the way you are. Think about what you think is appropriate to repeat in your mind in the next moment. When self-destructive thoughts arise, meet them with compassion and remember your wholeness and ability to change. Finally, take a deep breath and fill it with compassion. Exhale slowly and release any remaining tension. When you feel ready, gently open your eyes and resume your day with a mindful sense of self-compassion.
