Have you ever noticed how you talk to yourself? When you make a mistake, forget an appointment, or say the “wrong” thing, what does your inner voice sound like? For many people, it isn’t gentle or encouraging: it’s critical, impatient, or even cruel. We often speak to ourselves in ways we would never speak to a friend or loved one. If this feels familiar, you are not alone. Learning self-compassion can feel uncomfortable or even unnatural at first, especially if self-criticism has been your default for years. Yet befriending yourself may be one of the most powerful steps you can take toward...