Self-Compassion at Work: Making Space to Recharge
- Self-Compassion
When work is busy, it can be easy to keep pushing and tell ourselves we will slow down when things are quieter. Self-compassion offers a different approach: recognising when we are under pressure and creating opportunities to pause and recover. In this Insight, I explore why making space to recharge can support our wellbeing, effectiveness and ability to sustain performance over time.
Why it can be difficult to pause when work is busy
Many of us find ourselves balancing multiple demands both inside and outside of work. Deadlines need to be met, colleagues take annual leave, projects continue to move forward, and responsibilities beyond work can also increase.
For some, this may include caring responsibilities or family commitments. For others, it may simply be the cumulative effect of a demanding few months at work.
Whatever the circumstances, it can become easy to fall into a pattern of moving continuously from one task to the next without creating much opportunity to pause.
In my coaching and leadership development work, I often notice that people are remarkably good at keeping going. They are committed, conscientious and determined to meet their responsibilities. Yet many also tell themselves they will slow down once things are a little less busy.
The difficulty, of course, is that there is usually something else waiting for our attention.
This is one of the reasons self-compassion matters at work.
Why self-compassion matters during busy periods
Self-compassion is sometimes misunderstood as being self-indulgent or at odds with productivity. In reality, it involves recognising when we are under pressure and responding with awareness, balance and understanding rather than being overly critical of ourselves.
When demands increase, many people respond by pushing harder, working longer or expecting more of themselves. Whilst this may feel effective in the short term, it can gradually deplete the emotional and psychological resources needed to work well, make good decisions and maintain healthy relationships with others.
Recharging can support sustainable performance
Making space to recharge is not about avoiding responsibility or lowering standards. It is about recognising that we are more effective when periods of effort are balanced with opportunities to recover.
Taking time to pause can help us sustain our wellbeing, effectiveness and capacity to support others over time.
Rather than waiting for annual leave or a quieter period to arrive, it can be helpful to consider the smaller ways we might recharge during an ordinary working day.
Four ways to create space to recharge at work
- Notice when your resources are becoming depleted — Pay attention to the signs that you may be becoming depleted, whether this shows up as irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or simply feeling overwhelmed.
- Build in small pauses — A short walk, a few minutes away from your screen, or taking a genuine lunch break can help create moments of recovery throughout the day.
- Be realistic about what is achievable — Busy periods can tempt us to expect more and more of ourselves. Self-compassion invites us to recognise our limits and make thoughtful choices about where our time and energy are best invested.
- Remember that recovery is part of sustainable performance — Recovery does not need to wait until everything is finished. In many cases, it is what helps us continue to perform well and support others effectively.
A reflection
As you think about the demands you are currently managing, consider:
What is one small thing I could do to create space to recharge, even during a busy day?
Not as another task to complete, but as an investment in your wellbeing, effectiveness and ability to sustain what matters to you.
