Self-compassion ≠ making excuses. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the concept. Instead, self-compassion is what allows us to get enough perspective to accurately identify the problem. This matters because correctly identifying a problem is the only real chance you have of solving that problem. Read more for an excellent example of what this looks like, and why self-compassion is so critical to our ability to make meaningful progress in any area of our lives.

If you’re a neurodivergent, “2e” type of human, trying to “put yourself in someone else’s shoes” can be a complicated proposition. You are more likely than a neurotypical person to ascribe a more complex motivation to someone’s actions or behaviors than is actually present. You’re also more inclined towards Negative Intent Attribution - meaning you’re more likely to attribute more negative and less positive intent to peers. Keep reading to learn more about how “thinking differently” can cause us to misidentify others’ motivations, and how we can work with our brains to cultivate emotionally-healthy communication and connection.