Mindfulness
Non-Judgmentally Skill
Non-judgmentally means noticing experiences without labeling them good or bad—sticking to the facts so you can respond wisely.
Tip: jot notes below, then print or “Save as PDF.”
How to practice it
Move through each step slowly. Notice what the skill asks for and how you can experiment in real life.
1
Spot Judgment Words
Notice language like good/bad, should, unfair, terrible. These cues signal you are judging instead of observing.
2
Return to the Facts
Rephrase judgments into concrete descriptions—what was said, done, or sensed. Focus on who, what, when, and where.
3
Acknowledge Impact
Recognize how the situation affects you (feelings, urges, goals) without attacking yourself or others.
4
Practice Compassion
Offer understanding to yourself and others. Remember everyone is doing the best they can with the skills they have.
Real-world examples
Try spotting moments like these in your week. Notice how the skill changes the ripple effect of a tough situation.
Missed deadline
Instead of “I’m so lazy,” you note: “I turned in the report one day late. I feel anxious and disappointed. I want to adjust my planning.” The non-judgmental stance keeps you solution-focused.
Friend cancels plans
You catch the thought “They don’t care about me,” and reframe to “They texted that they’re exhausted. I feel lonely and would like to reschedule.” This leads to a supportive reply.
Practice Activity
Track a situation where judgments flared up. Rewrite those judgments using non-judgmental language.
What judgment statements did you notice?
How did you translate them into factual descriptions?
What emotions or needs surfaced once the judgments softened?
What compassionate response can you practice next time?
Want to practice mindfulness with the WithMarsha app?
WithMarsha guides you through this skill in real time, keeps track of your practice, and helps you build your DBT toolkit day by day.
Download WithMarsha