How to Stop Being Mean to Yourself

The key to stopping being mean to oneself is through the practice of forgiveness and self-compassion. By recognizing one's internal cruel thoughts and questioning whether they would allow someone else to speak to their friend that way, one can intervene and refuse to tolerate such self-violence. Even if it feels absurd, it is important to stop and say no to such negativity. The practice of self-forgiveness and self-compassion not only benefits oneself but also unlocks unbridled compassion for others. By acknowledging one's own flaws and self-sabotaging tendencies, it becomes easier to understand and love others who may be mean or hurtful. The speaker learned to love people who are mean to them online by realizing that they too could have been in their position and that the way out of bigotry was through love and compassion. Ultimately, stopping self-cruelty begins with self-love.