Holding the Door for Your Own Mind

We are often our own harshest critics. I have noticed that the way I talk to myself in the mirror is a thousand times meaner than the way I would ever talk to a stranger. We carry this internal drill sergeant around, thinking that if we are tough enough on ourselves, we will eventually become perfect. But you cannot shame yourself into a version of yourself that you love. Kindness has to start at home, within your own skin.

For National Kindness Week 2026, I am practicing the art of the 'internal soft launch.' When I make a mistake, instead of spiraling into self-criticism, I try to talk to myself like I would a five-year-old. I tell myself, 'It is okay, you are learning.' It feels silly at first, but it changes the entire chemistry of your day. You stop being your own enemy and start being your own teammate.

Being kind to yourself is not about being lazy or making excuses. It is about recognizing that you are a biological creature with limits. You need rest, you need nourishment, and you need a break from the constant pressure to achieve. When you allow yourself to be human, you become much more capable of being kind to others. You cannot pour from an empty cup, as the old saying goes.

Try to notice your internal monologue today. If you catch yourself being cruel, just stop. Take a breath and rephrase the thought. Treat your mind with the same dignity you would offer a guest in your home. This internal shift is the foundation of all outward peace. When you are at peace with yourself, kindness flows out of you naturally, without any effort at all.