Self Compassion Quotes

Self Compassion Quotes is a healthy self-attitude that encompasses treating yourself with warmth and understanding in times of suffering, forgiving yourself when you make mistakes or have trouble, and acknowledging that making mistakes is a normal part of being human” (Neff, 2003).

This quote by Kristin Neff, a researcher who first coined the term ‘self-compassion’, nicely captures the essence of what it means to be self-compassionate. It’s about being kind and forgiving towards yourself when you are struggling. It’s about comforting yourself the way you would comfort a close friend in their time of need. It’s about treating yourself like the most honored guest in your own heart, someone worthy of love and respect.

Embracing Self-Compassion: Quotes to Cultivate Kindness and Understanding Toward Yourself

Some people find the idea of being kind and forgiving to themselves very challenging. They worry that it will lead to selfishness and that they will neglect everybody else for their own personal benefit. Rachel, for example, is a very good person who spends much of her time caring for others and volunteering with charities. She finds it very difficult to be kind and forgiving towards herself, although she thinks that this is what she needs to do in order to keep being such a good person.

One of the most effective ways to cultivate self-compassion is by writing a self-compassionate letter. Research shows that this practice helps alleviate worries and reduce the tendency to ruminate. It also increases motivation for positive change, as exemplified by a study by Juliana Breines and Serena Chen. To get started, try this guide from Greater Good In Action. It offers a step-by-step walk-through of the process, including an example self-compassionate letter.