The Sacred Art of Self-Compassion

Today is International Self-Compassion Day and I can’t think of a more sacred invitation to slow down, turn inward and honour this wildly beautiful truth: When life feels heavy, self-compassion offers a soft place to land.

We speak so often of compassion for others—what if we turned that same kindness, that same fierce tenderness, inward?

Self-compassion is more than a concept.
Is a radical, rebellious act of love in a world that too often demands perfection, productivity and polished exteriors.

At its heart, self-compassion is the courageous practice of extending warmth, understanding and care to yourself especially when things feel messy, vulnerable or hard.

It means talking to yourself like you would a beloved friend.
It means creating space for all of you: your joy, your pain, your mistakes, your magic, your healing.

It’s not about pretending everything is okay.
It’s about loving yourself through the not-okayness.

As the rain falls softly outside, I am reminded of the compassion we all crave and often forget to offer inwardly to ourselves.
Toward our tired hearts.
Toward the version of us that is still learning, still growing, still finding the light.

This blog is a love letter to your tenderness.
To the part of you that is tired. Trying. In transition.
A reminder that self-compassion is sacred and is never selfish.
It’s survival. It’s sanctuary.
It’s a remembering of your humanness and your right to meet yourself with softness.

What does self-compassion mean to me, in my own words?

When was the last time I truly offered myself kindness instead of criticism?

Where does my inner voice need to soften?

Today on this international day of remembrance and radical softness, I invite you to….

💗 Breathe deeply.
💗 Soften your edges.
💗 Be a friend to yourself in all the ways you long to be loved.

You are worthy of your own compassion.
Exactly as you are.
No fixing. No proving. Just loving.

Happy International Self-Compassion Day, beautiful soul.

Self-compassion is the practice of extending warmth, understanding and kindness to yourself, especially in moments of pain, failure or vulnerability.
It is the opposite of harsh self-judgment.
It is what you would offer a dear friend—a choice to instead offer to the one who often desires and deserves it most: you.

It is more than a buzzword.
It is a game-changer.
A radical act of tenderness in a world that glorifies toughness and self-sacrifice.

Self-compassion says “I see your pain. I feel your struggle. I honour your effort. You are still worthy of love.”

To me, self-compassion is a soft exhale after holding my breath for too long.
It’s choosing not to abandon myself when I feel most lost.
It is whispering “you are okay” rather than “pull yourself together.”
It is dancing with my mistakes instead of punishing myself for them.

Self-compassion is a sanctuary. A sacred space within where all parts of you are welcome.
The tender. The messy. The raw. The real.
It’s the inner knowing that you are allowed to be a work in progress and still deeply worthy.

Self-compassion is a form of self-leadership.
It’s the courageous choice to meet yourself in the dark with a steady hand and an open heart.
To say: “Even here, even now, I will not turn away from myself.”

In the moments I have felt unworthy, unsure or overstretched, self-compassion reminded me I didn’t need to be perfect to be lovable.
I only needed to be present.
To listen inward instead of criticise.
To stay with myself instead of shutting down.

One moment still lingers in my heart.
A client sat across from me, her voice shaking: “I can be so kind to everyone else… but I don’t know how to be kind to me.”
We breathed together.
We placed hands on our hearts.
I watched her soften as she realised that same kindness could live inside her, too.
She could turn it inward. She could come home to herself.

That is the quiet alchemy of self-compassion.

A remembering. A return. A radical act of softness in a world that tells us to harden.

Let this be your reminder you are allowed to hold yourself the way you hold others.
You are allowed to be your own soft place to land.
You are allowed to begin again with compassion and love.

There were seasons of my life when I felt like I had to “have it all together.”
I carried the weight of my own expectations in a fucking heavy backpack filled with “shoulds,” “must-dos,” and “not enoughs.”
I thought holding it all was strength. I thought perfection earned me love.

It wasn’t until I began practicing self-compassion bit by bit, breath by breath that I realised:
I don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of love.

I still remember one moment vividly.
I was overwhelmed, exhausted and caught in a spiral of harsh self-talk.
I paused.
I placed my hand on my heart and whispered, “This is hard. I choose to be compassionate and kind to myself right now.”

Something shifted. I chose to surrender, I softened and in that softness I found strength.

There was a time I believed self-compassion was weakness.
That it meant giving up or letting myself off the hook.
I have learned the opposite is true.

When I surrendered, I grew.
When I forgave myself, I flourished.

One rainy afternoon, I sat on my bedroom floor after a week that drained me dry.
Tears rolled—actually, let’s get real—they absolutely gushed down my cheeks.
Instead of shaming myself for not “keeping it together,” I placed a trembling hand over my heart and whispered “This is hard and I am doing my best.”

That one sentence helped me rise with more grace than any pep talk ever could.

Self-compassion didn’t make me weaker.
It made me whole.

I am so honoured to share these powerful, poetic words from the divine Karlee Davis, Breathwork and Energetics Coach — a soul who embodies compassion and reminds us what it means to meet ourselves in our full humanity. You can connect with her here.
Self-compassion is the sacred act of meeting ourselves without grace and love in a world that often expects perfection.

As spiritual beings having a human experience, we’re meant to feel it all - the mess and the magic, the joy and the grief, the softness and the strength.

You are not broken for having “bad” days or tender moments. You are beautifully human, learning and evolving.

Allow your journey to be raw, radiant, earthly and cosmic. You are worthy of love in every version of yourself.

You know I love to geek out whenever I can so let’s take a quick look at what is actually happening in your brain when you practice self-compassion.

Amygdala: This is the alarm system of the brain that is responsible for the fight/flight/freeze/fawn response.
When you offer yourself compassion, the amygdala starts to quiet down, signalling to your body that you are safe. Stress hormones reduce. Your breath deepens. Your system begins to soften.

Limbic System: The emotional hub of your brain.
Self-compassion soothes this area, helping you feel less overwhelmed and more emotionally grounded. Like medicine it melts tension and soothes the parts of you that have been holding too much.

Prefrontal Cortex: This is your wise brain - the part responsible for reflection, emotional regulation, decision-making and empathy.
When you practice self-compassion, this area lights up. You become more thoughtful, more present, more able to respond rather than react.

Let that sink in for a moment:
You are biologically wired to respond to compassion, kindness and love.

By being gentle with yourself, you are literally reshaping your brain—for resilience, for peace, for presence.

What kind of self-talk do I offer myself when I am struggling?
How does my body feel when I am gentle with myself?

It is with deep reverence that I share these soul-spoken sentences from the beautiful Michaela, the creatrix of The Longevity Remedy.

“Self-compassion is something I’ve struggled with most of my life. It’s only been in my mid-30s that I’ve started to show myself the kind of kindness I’ve always offered to others. And even then, it’s still a practice, not something I’ve mastered.

Working with women and witnessing how deeply self-criticism, perfectionism, and shame affect them has been a mirror for my own healing. Supporting others to build compassion for themselves has helped me find the courage to do the same. When I see them soften, heal and finally begin to feel worthy, it reminds me that I deserve that too!

But I’ll be honest. The inner critic is still there. That “mean girl” voice in my head that tells me I’m not good enough, that judges who I was in the past or the mistakes I’ve made. Most days I still have to choose, consciously, to speak back to her. To remind myself that I was doing the best I could with what I had, and to offer the younger version of me the forgiveness and compassion she never received. 

Self-compassion isn’t easy. It’s confronting. It can feel unfamiliar, and for many of us, especially women, it can feel undeserved. But I’ve come to realise it’s not optional if I want to live a life that’s whole and peaceful. I don’t want to get to 60 and still be at war with myself. So now, I’m fighting, gently and daily, for my right to be kind to me.

I don’t have a neat definition of self-compassion. I’m still workshopping it. But I know how it feels when I hear the words: a little bit of sadness, because I didn’t grow up with it… and a little bit of hope, because now I know it’s something I can choose.

Right now, I’m a student of it. A beginner. But I’m committed.“

These six self-compassion practices I am about to share with you are not just tools to add to your self-care toolkit or treasure box.

They are portals.
They are rituals of remembering.
Invitations to meet yourself with tenderness, presence and grace.
To come home to your own heart again and again.

🌸 Self-Compassion Break
Place a hand over your heart. Say aloud or silently:
“This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is part of life. May I be kind to myself right now.”
This simple practice creates space between you and your pain.
A pause. A breath. A softening.
Let it remind you: you are not alone.

🌸 Soothing Touch
Give yourself a gentle hug.
Place your hand on your cheek, cradle your face, or rest it over your heart.
Physical touch activates the natural calming system of your body through releasing oxytocin (the love hormone) and signaling safety.
It says: “I am here for you.”

🌸 Inner Friend Practice
Ask yourself: “What would I say to a dear friend going through this?”
Then offer those same words to yourself.
So often, we give grace to others and deny it to ourselves.
This practice invites your inner voice to become a soft, steady companion.

🌸 Mindful Self-Compassion Meditation
Sit for 5–10 minutes.
Breathe deeply and repeat one of these loving phrases:
“May I be safe. May I be loved. May I be at peace.” or “May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I live with ease.”
Let the words wrap around you like a warm blanket.

🌸 Loving-Kindness Letter
Write a letter to yourself from the voice of someone who loves you unconditionally.
Acknowledge your struggles. Celebrate your courage.
Remind yourself: You are enough. You are loved. You are doing your best.
Keep this letter close. Return to it when you forget.

🌸 Reframe Your Inner Critic
Notice your self-talk. Is it harsh, hurried, or heavy?
Gently reframe it with kindness:
From “I always mess up” → “I am learning and growing.”
From “I’m too sensitive” → “My sensitivity is a gift.”
This is how we change the inner dialogue—from criticism to care.

Here is a Divine Download where you can find more ways to reframe your inner dialogue.

These are not just “tools.”
They are acts of self-leadership.
They are love rituals.
Healing practices.
Anchors for the heart.

Which of these six practices resonates most with you right now?
What is one small way you can offer yourself more compassion today?

You don’t have to wait until you’re falling apart to offer yourself love.
You can begin now.
Softly. Gently. One breath at a time.

One of my beautiful clients shared something this week that brought tears to my eyes and so much warmth to my heart.
After years of perfectionism, she began offering herself a self-compassion break each morning.

She said: “When I feel overwhelmed, I instinctively place my hand on my chest and breathe. I feel like I’ve finally come home to myself.”

That is the quiet power of self-compassion.
It brings us home.

Here are some more reflections from the hearts of clients:
“My inner critic used to run the show. Now I catch her in the act and offer myself a pause—a breath—and kindness instead.”

“Since practicing the Inner Friend exercise, I have stopped apologising for being human.”

“My self-compassion letter lives in my journal. Every time I read it, I remember who I truly am.”

These stories are reminders that self-compassion isn’t just a concept. It is a living, breathing practice.
One that softens the inner edges, rewires old patterns, and gently leads us back to the truth of who we are.

Yes—self-care can absolutely be a form of self-compassion, whether it’s a bubble bath, lighting candles, dancing barefoot or floating in the ocean.

There is a gentle distinction between the two:
Self-compassion is the intention.
Self-care is how that intention becomes embodied.

While bubble baths, soaking in the sunshine, sipping herbal tea, curling up with a good book, lighting candles, and treating yourself to your favourite chocolate are lovely, nurturing rituals .

True self-care true is deeper.
It is how gently you speak to yourself in the silence. How kindly you hold your heart in the midst of chaos. How bravely you set standards, listen to your needs, honour your body and stay connected to what truly nourishes your soul.

It is asking yourself, with honesty and tenderness:

What do I need right now emotionally, physically, spiritually?

What would feel nourishing not numbing?

What would self-compassion say to me today?

Sometimes the answer is rest.
Other times it’s movement, hydration, time in nature, journaling, silence or breathwork.
Sometimes, it’s choosing words that soothe, foods that nourish, and standards that honour your energy.

When done with love, self-care becomes sacred.
A ritual. A reclaiming.
A way to say: “I am worthy of being cared for. I matter. Even now.”

Self-care is how self-compassion comes alive in the body.

What does nourishing care look like for me today?
In what ways can I begin treating myself like someone I deeply love?
When was the last time I offered myself kindness without condition?
What do I need right now to feel safe, supported and seen?

Let this be your invitation to redefine self-care not as an indulgence but as a radical act of inner kindness.

Self-compassion is a daily devotion not just another destination.
It’s a sacred whisper:
“I am doing my best. I am worthy of love. I can be kind to myself, even when life feels messy.”

As the rain falls softly outside, as the wind sends whispers through the trees or as the sun shines bright while the world rushes on I invite you to pause.

Wrap yourself in your own arms.
Speak softly to your heart.
Let the moment hold you.

Always remember…..
You are a wild and wonderful woman in a wild and wonderful body.
Your softness is not weakness.
It is strength—wrapped in tenderness, rooted in grace.

Let yourself be loved… by you.

When life feels heavy, self-compassion offers a soft place to land.
It is the pause before the push.
The hug before the hustle.
The gentle reminder: You are already enough.

Let self-care become your sanctuary.
Let gentleness become your guide.
Let your own sweet and unconditional love wrap around you like a warm blanket on a cold day.

Stay tuned as I dedicate this weekend to self-compassion and soul-nourishing care.
Tomorrow, I will be sharing a collection of soul-deep self-love quotes to inspire, to grow with and to guide your heart home.

Until then…
Breathe deeply.
Be gentle.
Be kind.

Because you deserve it now, always and in all ways.

With compassionate and wild love,
Hannah