The self-compassion pause

Three sentences that meet you kindly in hard moments, instead of piling on more criticism.

Here’s how

1. Name what is: “This hurts” or “This is hard right now”.
2. Remind yourself: “Hardship is part of being human, I’m not alone in it.”
3. Place a hand on your chest and say inwardly: “May I be kind to myself.”
4. Sense for a moment how this other, warmer voice feels.

A calm self-help exercise, no substitute for therapy. Leave out whatever doesn’t feel good.