Of all the relationships and friendships we cultivate during our lives, the relationship that will endure the longest and needs the most cultivating is the friendship we have with ourselves. It’s important to treat ourselves with the same honesty, kindness, and care we generally reserve for others.
If you’ve noticed that you beat yourself up over a mistake with negative self-talk such as, “That was a dumb thing to do,” or “How could I be so stupid,” unfortunately you are not alone. Think about what would happen if you spoke to a friend that way. They likely wouldn’t be your friend much longer. Words matter, even when we are talking to ourselves. Instead of the negative, practice positive self-talk, “Everyone makes mistakes,” or “I learned that the hard way, but I’ve learned from it.”
Self-care, self-compassion, and putting your needs on the same footing as the needs of others are great ways to start learning to be your own best friend. And once you learn to befriend yourself, odds are that you’ll be an even better friend to others.
If you have difficulty developing self-compassion, One Source EAP can help with 24/7/365 access at 800-300-0628. All calls are strictly confidential.
An 8-Step Journey of Self-Love and Acceptance
Being your own best friend takes time, patience, and practice. Here is a way to start.
- Embrace Introspection
- Practice Self-Compassion
- Value Your Own Needs
- Commit to Personal Development
- Celebrate Your Wins
- Prioritize Self-Care
- Cultivate Gratitude
- Accept and Grow From Mistakes
Find out more about each step from The Mindful Magazine.com.
Register For the July Zoom Seminar, “Being Your Own Best Friend,” and watch the June Replay
Join the July One Source EAP 30-minute seminar, “Being Your Own Best Friend” on Tuesday, July 16th at noon. View the full list of Monthly Seminars and register for one, a few, or all of the remaining sessions.
Watch a replay of the June seminar, “The Art of Slowing Down”.
Request other seminar topics for your workgroup. Visit the seminar page on our website to review the list of our seminar offerings. Schedule a seminar for your team.
