It’s easy to downplay how wonderful we actually are. We can forget all about self-compassion. And be much kinder to our friends than we are to ourselves. Here are some of our favorite self-compassion quotes to remind you to be kind to yourself first and foremost.
You’ve been criticising yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens. – Louise L. Hay
Being human is not about being any one particular way; it is about being as life creates you—with your own particular strengths and weaknesses, gifts and challenges, quirks and oddities. – Kristin Neff
Self-care is not selfish or self-indulgent. We cannot nurture others from a dry well. We need to take care of our own needs first, so that we can give from our surplus, our abundance. When we nurture others from a place of fullness, we feel renewed instead of taken advantage of. – Jennifer Louden (listen to Jennifer on our podcast)
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
It is a beautiful experience being with ourselves at a level of complete acceptance. When that begins to happen, when you give up resistance and needing to be perfect, a peace will come over you as you have never known. – Ruth Fishel
Talk to yourself as you would someone you love. – Brene Brown
If you do not respect your own wishes, no one else will. You will simply attract people who disrespect you as much as you do. – Vironika Tugaleva
Feeling compassion for ourselves in no way releases us from responsibility for our actions. Rather, it releases us from the self-hatred that prevents us from responding to our life with clarity and balance. – Tara Brach
When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs, and habits – anything that kept me small. Now I see it as self-loving. – Kim McMillen
Compassion isn’t some kind of self-improvement project or ideal that we’re trying to live up to. Having self compassion starts and ends with having compassion for all those unwanted parts of ourselves, all those imperfections that we don’t even want to look at. – Pema Chodron
Most unhappy people need to learn just one lesson: how to see themselves through the lens of genuine compassion and treat themselves accordingly. – Martha Beck
There is a magnificent, beautiful, wonderful painting in front of you! It is intricate, detailed, a painstaking labor of devotion and love! The colors are like no other, they swim and leap, they trickle and embellish! And yet you choose to fixate your eyes on the small fly which has landed on it! Why do you do such a thing? – C. JoyBell C.
Be nice to yourself… It’s hard to be happy when someone is mean to you all the time – Christine Arylo
Speak to yourself with self compassion on the inside and you will radiate peace on the outside. – Amy Leigh Mercree
With mindfulness, loving kindness, and self-compassion, we can begin to let go of our expectations about how life and those we love should be. – Sharon Salzberg
Friendship with one’s self is all important, because without it, one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world. – Eleanor Roosevelt
Lighten up on yourself. No one is perfect. Gently accept your humanness. – Deborah Day
Of all the journeys to undertake, the one of self-compassion is one of utmost importance for long-term well-being. – Anne Foy
We all have the tendency to believe self-doubt and self-criticism but listening to this voice never gets us closer to our goals. Instead, try on the point of view of a mentor or good friend who believes in you, wants the best for you, and will encourage you when you feel discouraged. – Kelly McGonigal
When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. – Jean Shinoda Bolen
Which is your favorite self compassion quote? Always remember to show yourself a little self compassion. Chances are it’ll get you a lot further, more quickly, than you might ever have hoped!
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Last Updated on September 13, 2022 by Editorial Staff