Warm-Up: Inner Voice Check

Instructions: Take a moment to think about how you talk to yourself, especially when things are tough or when you make a mistake. Your inner voice is that little dialogue inside your head.

• When you mess up, does your inner voice say things like, "You're so clumsy!" or "I can't believe you did that again!"?
  
  
  
  
• Or does it say, "It's okay, everyone makes mistakes," or "You'll learn from this"?
  
  
  
  

Take a few minutes to write down what your inner voice usually sounds like in challenging situations. Is it more critical or more kind? Why do you think that is?

Discussion Guide: Self-Kindness & Self-Love

Objective: To facilitate a deeper understanding and personal connection to the concepts of self-kindness and self-love.

Part 1: Defining the Concepts (After "What is Self-Kindness?" and "What is Self-Love?" slides)

1. Initial Thoughts: What comes to mind when you hear the phrases "self-kindness" and "self-love"?
   
   
   
   
2. Personal Examples: Can you think of a time when someone showed you kindness? How did it feel? How might you offer that same feeling to yourself?
   
   
   
   
3. Distinguishing the Concepts: Is there a difference between self-kindness and self-love? If so, what is it?
   • (Possible distinction: Self-kindness is the action/behavior, self-love is the deeper acceptance/regard.)
     
     
     
     
4. Misconceptions: What are some things that self-kindness or self-love are not? (e.g., selfishness, arrogance, giving up on improvement)
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Why It Matters (After "Why Are They Important?" slide)

1. Impact on Mood: How do you think being kind to yourself can affect your mood and overall happiness?
   
   
   
   
2. Facing Challenges: When you face a difficult situation or make a mistake, how can self-kindness help you get through it?
   
   
   
   
3. Relationships: How might practicing self-love and self-kindness improve your relationships with friends and family?
   
   
   
   
4. Motivation: Does being kind to yourself mean you stop trying to improve? How can self-compassion actually motivate you?
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Practical Application (During/After "Practicing Self-Kindness & Self-Love" slide)

1. Daily Actions: What are some small, everyday actions you can take to show yourself kindness?
   
   
   
   
2. Positive Self-Talk: How can you change critical thoughts into more supportive ones? Give an example.
   
   
   
   
3. Self-Care: What are some simple self-care activities that make you feel good and recharged?
   
   
   
   
4. Setting Boundaries: How does saying "no" sometimes show self-love? Why is it important?
   
   
   
   

Journal Prompt: My Self-Kindness Pledge

Instructions: Reflect on today's discussion about self-kindness and self-love. What resonated with you the most? Write a personal pledge to yourself, committing to one or more ways you will practice self-kindness or self-love starting this week.

My Self-Kindness Pledge

Dear Self,

Starting this week, I pledge to show myself more kindness and love by:

1. Action 1:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Action 2 (Optional):
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Action 3 (Optional):
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

I will remind myself of this pledge by (e.g., writing it on a sticky note, setting a phone reminder, telling a trusted friend):

I understand that practicing self-kindness and self-love is a journey, not a destination, and I promise to be patient and understanding with myself along the way.

Signed,

[Your Name]

Date:

Cool-Down: One Small Step

Instructions: Before you leave, please answer the following questions to reflect on today's lesson.

1. What is one new idea or thought you had today about self-kindness or self-love?
   
   
   
   
2. What is one specific, small action you can take to show yourself kindness or love in the next 24 hours?
   
   
   
   
3. Why is this small step important to you?