Self-kindness, or self-compassion, is one of the seven dimensions of kindness.
- Self-kindness unlocks our ability to be better and do better.
- Being kind to ourselves should not be equated to being self-indulgent, any more than being kind to others should be equated to being weak.
- It is more productive to acknowledge and accept our difficulties and imperfections than to deny and fight them.
- We make better progress overcoming the obstacles that challenge us when we forgive ourselves for our own mistakes or for our circumstances.
- Letting ourselves off the hook defuses the anticipation of fear, worry, and regret that holds us back from taking action.
- We break the cycle of harmful, futile, judgmental thinking by dwelling mindfully in our own humanity, a humanity we share with others.
- By holding ourselves to realistic and humane standards, we open ourselves to greater kindness in the world around us.
- We can honor ourselves as people whose actions can improve individual lives and the world around us.
- Strength and patience that start from within have greater impact than superficial empathy.
- Current psychology research shows greater linkages of self-compassion to positive mental health outcomes than those from self-esteem.