Are You Too Hard on Yourself?

Hey, my friend,

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to be kind to others, yet how difficult it can be to extend that same kindness to yourself?

When a friend makes a mistake, you comfort them. You remind them that it is only human to stumble. But when you make the same mistake, the tone changes.

Instead of reassurance, you may find yourself criticizing far more harshly than the situation deserves.

This gap between how you treat others and how you treat yourself is exactly why self-compassion is so important.

Being gentle with yourself is not a weakness, my friend. It is a form of strength.

Each time you remind yourself that it is okay to fall short, you create room to stand back up again.

When patience replaces judgment in your mind, moving forward becomes lighter and much more possible for you.

One way to begin practicing this is by listening to your inner voice.

If you catch yourself using words you would never say to someone you love, pause and choose different ones.

Another way is to notice your progress instead of only your mistakes.

Even small steps forward matter, and reminding yourself of them builds encouragement for the journey ahead.

With time, this simple practice will soften the way you see yourself. You stop being only your own critic and start becoming your own encourager.

And when that shift happens within, it naturally flows outward, making it easier to extend kindness to others as well.

So the next time you find yourself being too hard on yourself, pause for a moment and ask:

What would I say to someone I care about in this very moment? Then offer those words to yourself, my friend.

By treating yourself with the same gentleness you offer others, you begin to build a steady foundation of strength from within.

Remember that this is a practice, not a finish line.

Some days will feel easier than others, and that is perfectly okay. What matters most is the choice to keep coming back to kindness, again and again.

Over time, those small choices add up, and you begin to notice a shift in the way you move through the world.

So as you go about your day, hold this thought close: you are worthy of the same compassion you so freely give.

Let it guide your words, your thoughts, and the way you treat yourself in each moment.

I hope you’ll keep it in mind, my friend.

That is it for today, and see you tomorrow.

Take care,
Prasad Mairale
Petals of Positivity 🌸