Best Self Magazine

Why You Should Cultivate and Practice Self-Compassion

Why You Should Cultivate and Practice Self-Compassion by Barbara Larrivee. Photograph of a sign that says 'You are worthy of love' by Tim Mossholder
Photograph by Tim Mossholder

Developing a healthy practice of self-compassion starts with practicing authentic self-love — which can be cultivated with some simple daily routines.

We all have an innate compassionate instinct for caring for others, but you have to deliberately practice compassion for yourself. 

We need to shine the compassionate beam in both directions. 

You have to offer yourself self-care if you want to keep from depleting yourself to the point of having no energy to extend compassion to others. When you practice compassion for yourself despite your flaws, it extends to being more forgiving of others’ flaws, accepting them as they are — imperfect beings! By taking better care of

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