Let’s be honest—some of the harshest words we hear don’t come from strangers on the internet.
They come from ourselves.
That inner critic? She’s loud, relentless, and rarely has anything kind to say.
Whether it’s judging our bodies, our choices, our emotions, or our worth… we’ve all been there.
But here’s the beautiful truth: you are not meant to live in constant judgment of yourself.
And retreats? They’re one of the few places where I consistently watch women finally drop that armor and start practicing real, honest-to-goodness self-
The Power of a Judgment-Free Zone
When you step onto retreat, whether it’s at the ranch, on the beach, or somewhere magical in between, something shifts. There’s no competition, no performance, no need to pretend.
You don’t have to wear makeup. You don’t have to explain your tears.
You can laugh ‘too loudly’, take up space, sit in silence, or say no without guilt.
And what happens in that space of total acceptance?
People start to breathe. To soften. To realize they are enough, exactly as they are.
Self-Compassion Is a Practice, Not a Perk
Here’s the deal: self-compassion isn’t about fluffy affirmations or ignoring hard stuff.
It’s about learning to meet yourself where you are—with the same grace you’d give your best friend.
It means not spiraling when you feel “off.”
It means not beating yourself up for past choices.
It means allowing yourself to just be human.
And like anything worth doing, it takes practice.
Exercises to Help You Practice Self-Compassion (On Retreat or at Home)
If you’re craving a softer relationship with yourself, try these practices. They’re simple, but powerful—especially when done regularly:
Mirror Work
Yep, it’s awkward at first—but wildly healing.
Stand in front of a mirror, look into your own eyes, and say something kind. Start with:
“Hi. I see you. You’re doing the best you can.”
It doesn’t need to be poetic. It just needs to be true.
Journaling Prompts
Take 10 minutes with your journal and reflect on these:
What do I judge myself for the most—and where did that voice come from?
How would I speak to a friend who’s feeling how I feel right now?
What would it feel like to forgive myself for _______?
No editing. No shame. Just honesty and curiosity.
Loving-Kindness Meditation
This one’s powerful. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and repeat silently:
May I be safe
May I be healthy
May I be kind to myself
May I live with ease
You can also extend these wishes to others. But always start with you.
Release Ritual (Retreat Favorite!)
Write down the judgments or guilt you want to let go of. Then tear it up, burn it safely, or bury it.
On retreat, we often gather around a fire to do this together—and it’s one of the most freeing moments of the experience.
Final Thoughts
Listen, you’re not broken. You don’t need to hustle for worthiness or keep replaying old shame tapes.
You deserve to be gentle with yourself. To rewrite the stories. To speak love into your own heart.
And whether it’s through breathwork, journaling, mirror work, or just sitting in silence on a retreat bench overlooking the Texas hills… you have the power to begin again.
So the next time that inner critic pipes up, take a breath and say:
“I’m still learning. And that’s more than enough.”
With grace and gratitude,
Shannon
