The 8 Cs of Self – Your Inner Compass for Healing
Your Built-In Guide to Wellbeing
In the IFS model, Self-energy — your natural state when you’re grounded and balanced — shows up through eight qualities. These “8 Cs” are like a compass, pointing you toward emotional health: Calm, Clarity, Curiosity, Compassion, Confidence, Courage, Creativity, and Connection.
Exploring Each Quality
Calm – Being centered and able to maintain a physical groundedness in the face of stressful situations or parts. Having a calming presence with other people. Experiencing a spacious, peaceful quiet inside.Clarity – Seeing yourself and situations without the fog of fear or judgement.
Curiosity – Being genuinely open and curious about why other parts or other people are reacting as they do, instead of becoming upset with them. An absence of agenda to change another's behavior, wanting instead to genuinely understand it.
Compassion – Seeing beyond others' angry or reactive parts and recognizing the fear or pain behind them. Feeling caring for another who is suffering and a desire to help without being overwhelmed by their pain.
Confidence – Trusting that even if you've made mistakes, there's an abiding knowledge that you're truest Self holds goodness and worth. Internally, Self trusts its competence even when parts are angry or distrustful. Self-confidence involves relating to parts and people in ways that are healing and effective.
Courage – Approaching formerly feared parts or situations and respond more consciously. Standing up to injustice while also speaking for your own extreme parts and apologizing for any negative impact on others.
Creativity – Being free to realize creative potential and to enjoy exploring novelty. Encouraging protectors to relax and allow parts to express themselves, unencumbered by burdens of fear, worthlessness, or shame.
Connection – Feeling a sense of connection with all parts and other people or a desire to reconnect. Recognising that all life is connected and that the sense of separateness is an illusion.
How the 8 Cs Support Healing
When even one of these qualities is present, your parts begin to relax. Over time, they trust that your Self can lead with understanding instead of fear. This is when real transformation happens.
Simple Ways to Cultivate Them
Keep a daily “8 Cs check-in” journal.
Notice which qualities show up in different situations.
Spend time in nature, art, or meditation to strengthen creativity and calm.
Why It’s Worth the Effort
Strengthening the 8 Cs isn’t just “therapy homework” — it’s a way of living with more ease, meaning, and resilience.