So why is it still so hard to be kind to yourself?

You don’t have to be a “real artist” to have an art journal and enjoy art journaling. Everyday Self-Compassion isn’t an art class ~ if you know how to write, you already have all the skills you need. These practices are very simple and accessible. Stick figures, scribbles, and messy pages aren’t just allowed ~ they’re part of the process. The pages aren’t meant to be good or to look just like what I create; they’re meant to be honest and “you”.

I break down each drawing step by step and demonstrate on an overhead camera, so you can simply follow along ~ no guessing, no figuring it out by yourself. And (I’ll remind you of this over and over): Your art journal is yours. You’re always welcome to adapt the practices and draw in whatever way feels right to you ~ there’s no one “right” way to do this.

Worrying about doing it “right” is a way of staying stuck in your head... and getting you out of your head is exactly what this program is here for. You’re more ready than you think.

No prior experience with meditation or mindfulness is needed. All of the meditations in this program are guided, and I’ll offer clear, gentle instruction along the way.

The practices are simple and accessible, and they’re meant to support you ~ not to be another thing to “get right.”

First ~ I believe you. If you’re like many of my students, you have tried everything: read the books, listened to the podcasts, maybe talked it through with friends or a therapist for years. You’re swimming in knowledge that you don’t know how to apply in your everyday life. And that’s not your fault ~ advice about self-compassion often misses a step: how do you actually do it?

It’s like watching videos and reading guidebooks about a place you’ve never actually been ~ because you don’t have a vehicle. And then having everyone tell you how important it is that you go there. You don’t need another person telling you to be kind to yourself. You need a vehicle so that what you know becomes how you live.

Insight that stays in your head can’t change your life.

That’s the entire point of this program: art journaling moves the knowing out of your head and onto the page, where it becomes an action that’s visible, workable and real. Our students aren’t just learning new ideas ~ they’re finally applying what they’ve learned about self-compassion in all the self-help books, podcasts and therapy sessions. That’s the difference. And it changes everything.

Groups really can be hard, I know. And I’m really glad that you’re checking the FAQs, instead of just sitting alone with the worry.

Everyday Self-Compassion is not group therapy, and it’s not designed to be emotionally intense or focused on processing personal trauma. Think of it as a class, not a therapy group: a gentle, skill-building program centered on learning and practicing self-compassion and creativity in everyday life.

We focus on short meditations, simple art journaling practices, and supportive reflection. There’s no pressure to share personal details, and you’re always welcome to participate quietly ~ many students do, especially at first.

And if something tender does come up while you journal, that’s welcome too ~ you’re never put on the spot, and the program includes simple ways to meet what arises.

Many students who are nervous about groups are surprised by how calm, warm, and non-overwhelming the classes feel. The intention is to create a space where you can practice being kinder to yourself, not a space where you’re expected to go deep or explain your story.

Wonderful ~ you’re truly welcome here. And here’s something that might not surprise you: experienced artists often have the loudest inner critics of anyone ~ precisely because you know exactly what “good” looks like. This program is where that voice gets a rest.

Art journaling is different from making fine art. While what you create here may be meaningful and even beautiful, the focus in this program is on staying connected to your inner experience, not on technique, achievement or proving anything.

I’ll often encourage you to keep things simple so you can stay close to your process and to the younger, more intuitive part of you ~ the part that created freely before learning to be self-critical or worry about getting it “right.”

Some practices may feel very basic at first, but that simplicity is what helps make the work more healing and personal. There are no critiques of anyone’s work, and you’re always welcome to adapt the practices in ways that feel more natural to you.

What matters most is that you learn to listen to and trust yourself as the expert on what you need. And you don’t have to pretend that you don’t have skills ~ you can just give them a new job. Instead of creating for an audience, they can serve your own healing. Many experienced artists have said that this is the most freed they’ve felt on the page in years.

I love this question ~ time is so precious! And you’re probably asking because you have a full life and a full plate.

This program isn’t another demand on your energy. It’s designed to give energy back. The practices themselves give you a way to let go of what’s been so hard to carry, so you naturally feel lighter and less burdened. You can also think about it this way: the minutes you’ll spend practicing are minutes you’re already spending on self-criticism, worry and pushing through. You’re going to spend them either way. This just changes what happens in those minutes and what you get back from them.

Here’s what the time actually looks like on a practical level: each week, we meet for a two-hour live class, and I encourage you to attend if you can, since the shared experience is a meaningful part of the program.

Between classes, I’ll offer a menu of gentle practices you can try, and many students enjoy spending about 20-30 minutes a day with meditation, reflection or art journaling. That said, this isn’t about doing everything perfectly. You’re encouraged to choose what feels supportive and realistic for you ~ and there’s no “falling behind” here.

Students often tell me they’re surprised by how much shifts just from coming to class and practicing when they’re able. Even small, consistent moments of self-compassion can make a real difference.

I get why it would seem that way ~ especially if you’re someone who’s used to putting everyone else first. But let’s look at this question together.

The idea that this might be “self-indulgent” usually comes from the same voice that leads to burnout. It says that your needs don’t count, that rest must be earned, and that kindness is for other people. In other words, it’s often the inner critic in a convincing costume. It’s so sneaky! So if you’re asking this question, it’s a sign that your inner critic is very much a part of your everyday life. That’s not a disqualification ~ it’s the very thing we explore in Everyday Self-Compassion.

The people around you don’t benefit from your depletion. They benefit from you feeling resourced and fortified instead of burned out and depleted. Self-compassion isn’t a luxury that takes away from what you share with others. It’s what makes your giving sustainable.

So no ~ this isn’t self-indulgence. It’s self-care in the truest, deepest sense. It simply asks, “What do I actually need right now?” And research on self-compassion consistently links it with more resilience, more patience and more generosity ~ not less.

And if the guilt shows up anyway? You can bring it to class. That’s exactly the kind of thing you’ll learn to meet with kindness.

I understand why you would be wondering about this. But I’d gently invite you to question where the question is coming from. There’s a strong belief in western culture that needing support means weakness, that anything worthwhile should be built alone, and that asking for help is failure.

The reality is that almost nothing grows in isolation. From plants and animals, to you and me. Think of any meaningful change you’ve ever made ~ there was probably a teacher, a friend, a group, some kind of structure that made it possible.

New habits are especially fragile when built alone. Learning and practicing something new can feel strange. Partly that’s because your old habits are so familiar and practically automatic. And something like self-judgment is probably a lifelong habit that’s been reinforced for decades.

At the same time, if you’re asking this question, you probably value autonomy. And you also need to know that self-compassion isn’t something for you to acquire from me or anyone else. It’s already in you.

What you need is an environment where your inherent capacity for self-compassion can awaken and take root: steady encouragement, gentle guidance, practices simple enough to actually repeat, and companions who remind you why this matters on the days you forget.

That’s exactly what Everyday Self-Compassion is designed to be ~ eight weeks of structure and support that strengthen what’s already within you. Step-by-step practices you can simply follow, a rhythm that makes the habit easier to keep, and a guide beside you so you’re never figuring it out alone.

Great question ~ and the fact that you’re asking tells me you care about what’s best for you, not just signing up for something. So let’s look at it directly, because the answer may be clearer than you think.

Everyday Self-Compassion is a good fit if you:

• tend to be hard on yourself, even when you’re trying your best
• feel overwhelmed or stretched thin and want gentler ways to cope with everyday stress and uncertainty
• have tried lots of the “right” things (therapy, books, meditation, journaling) and still struggle to be kind to yourself in daily life*
• are open to simple, creative practices and willing to experiment with new ways of relating to yourself
• can make space for regular, supportive practices during the 8 weeks of the program

*notice that third bullet: if you’ve read the books, done the therapy, listened to the podcasts ~ and the kindness still doesn’t show up on an ordinary Tuesday ~ that’s not a sign you’ve failed. It’s the exact gap this program was designed to close. You don’t need more insight; you need a way to get it out of your head and into your everyday life.

If you saw yourself in even two or three of those lines, you’re not just a fit ~ you’re who this was made for.

At the same time, Everyday Self-Compassion may not be the best fit if you:

• are looking for a quick fix or overnight change
• feel pressured to be “fixed” (you’re not broken, and this work isn’t about fixing you)
• are unwilling to be a beginner or to feel a little awkward at times ~ learning to meet ourselves with kindness is a real practice, and it doesn’t always feel polished or comfortable at first

All that being said, you don’t need to feel 100% confident or ready in order to begin. You just need a willingness to show up and be curious about what can change when you get out of your head and take creative, compassionate action. Readiness isn’t always something you find before you start ~ it’s something that grows as you go.

Classes meet on Zoom, and we’ll be on video for our time together.

In the week before each class, you’ll watch a short video (usually about 10-15 minutes) that introduces the week’s theme, so our live time can be more experiential and interactive.

We begin with a short meditation and a short check-in so everyone has a chance to be heard if they would like to share. You are always welcome to not share.

Then we’ll explore the theme together and take a short break. In the second half of class, we do a guided art journaling practice. Afterward, there’s time for reflection and questions.

We close by reviewing the main ideas, sharing suggested home practices, and ending with a poem.

The overall tone is warm, supportive, and human ~ a mix of grounding, creativity and gentle learning.

Yes. All live classes and the retreat will be recorded and made available only to members of your cohort. If you need to miss a session or want to revisit a practice, you’ll be able to watch the recording ~ you have lifetime access.

To protect everyone’s privacy, recordings are not shared with alumni or anyone outside your cohort.

Each week, you’ll watch a short video and complete a simple reflection before class. This helps you arrive feeling oriented and ready to make the most of our time together.

You’ll also be invited to practice during the week with meditations, reflections, and art journaling. These are meant to support you, not overwhelm you ~ and you can always adapt how much you do based on your energy and capacity.

Many students find that these gentle, regular practices are what help self-compassion start to feel more natural and accessible in everyday life.

Zoom fatigue is very real, and I take that seriously. We build in a 5-minute break halfway through each class, and you’re always welcome to take a short break if you need one at any point.

During meditations and art journaling, you’re welcome to turn off your camera, especially if that helps you feel more comfortable and less observed. Many people find that easier on their nervous system and their eyes.

I do ask that when you’re present, you do your best to avoid multitasking so you can get the most out of the experience and feel more connected. We also keep things visually simple, which helps reduce sensory overload and makes it easier to stay grounded.

The goal is for class to feel like a supportive pause in your week, not another draining screen obligation.

You’ll need a few simple art supplies that are easy to find online or at an art store:

• a watercolor set
• a waterproof black pen
• a spiral-bound mixed media or watercolor pad

(Any brand will work, but I’ll share specific suggestions after you register)

I offer a limited number of scholarship spots in some rounds of Everyday Self-Compassion. When scholarships are available, you can apply using this short form. If the form isn’t accepting responses, there are no scholarships available at this time.

I taught Mindful Self-Compassion for several years and have a lot of respect for the program. At the same time, I wanted more freedom to teach self-compassion in the ways that feel most natural and supportive to me, and to include practices that aren’t part of the MSC curriculum.

In Everyday Self-Compassion, creative practices like art journaling are woven throughout the program, not added on. We also spend time learning how to meet uncertainty with more steadiness, and how feelings, needs, and boundaries can guide us toward kinder, more supportive choices.

I also bring in my own framework for working with the inner critic and cultivating self-kindness, as well as a strong emphasis on community and shared humanity. Many students say that practicing together in this way helps self-compassion feel more real and embodied, not just something they understand intellectually.

Some practices are adapted from MSC (with permission and attribution), but the overall structure, focus, and teaching approach are my own.