Self-care isn't selfish, it's sustainable. Everything in nature sustains itself through self-assessment, noticing what it needs, not necessarily what it wants, and attuning to itself then meeting that need. Being gentle and compassionate towards oneself is a starting point towards self-care. Compassion is to self judgement as water is to weeds, it allows for easier pulling and release of them. If we can be compassionate with our bodies, we can start to diffuse the judgements and shame.

I have been reflecting a lot on the idea of forgiveness and the differences between forgiveness in religion, as opposed to spirituality. Growing up in the Catholic faith, confessional was an integral sacrament for mitigating sin. We would go to a church, sit in a dark little booth and acknowledge our sins. Shame thrives in secrecy and dark places. My experience of spirituality is a bit different.