May 8 Weekly Technique
How to Be Kinder to Yourself
Real talk: Everyone deals with setbacks. They’re totally normal. The next time you’re struggling, pause and think about how you might talk to a friend in the same situation.
Try this!
Let’s dive a little deeper…
Imagine how you’d talk to a loved one who veered off-track: Would you lecture them about everything they should have done or point out every wrong choice? Probably not. We tend to be our friends’ biggest cheerleaders—all while being our own worst critics. But we’re all human and we all make mistakes.
The truth is, treating yourself with kindness and acceptance is what can help you overcome those obstacles and get back on track. Not tough love. Instead, responding with judgment and criticism makes you less likely to reach your goals. How you think about—and talk to—yourself is key to moving forward.
And don’t worry if a complete tone shift doesn’t happen overnight. It’s going to take a little practice to flex your self-compassion muscles. Right now it’s all about noticing how you talk to yourself (and others) so you can make a change.
