Day 93 of 100 Days of Hope

Be Kind and Gentle With Yourself: The Path to Peace

We can be so hard on ourselves—especially this time of year.

There are expectations everywhere. Things to finish. People to take care of. Details to remember. And when something doesn’t go as planned, the first place we often turn our frustration is inward.

So let me offer you a simple, powerful reminder:

Be kind.
Be gentle.
With yourself.

If there’s stress or worry swirling around you, be kind and gentle with yourself.
If something didn’t turn out the way you hoped, be kind and gentle with yourself.
If you forgot something, fell behind, or things feel delayed, be kind and gentle with yourself.

This isn’t about lowering your standards or giving up. It’s about choosing a way forward that actually helps.

Why Kindness Matters More Than Criticism

Being kind to yourself costs nothing.
And yet it gives you so much in return.

It helps you stay present with what truly matters instead of spiraling into self-blame.
It softens your nervous system so you can breathe and think more clearly.
It reminds you that caring deeply does not mean you have to be perfect.

Harshness and criticism don’t move things forward. They add weight. They drain energy. They disconnect you from yourself and from others.

Kindness, on the other hand, creates space. And space is where peace lives.

Choosing Love Changes Everything

I know it might sound simple—maybe even a little radical—but choosing to love yourself is the most powerful thing you can do. When you stop fighting yourself, things begin to fall into place more naturally.

You don’t have to grip so tightly.
You don’t have to push so hard.
You don’t have to carry everything alone.

You care about so much—and that’s beautiful. But caring doesn’t require constant tension. It’s okay to loosen your grip just a little and trust that things will unfold as they need to.

Let Yourself Breathe (and Ask for Help)

One of the most overlooked forms of self-kindness is asking for help.

People often want to support you, but they don’t know how unless you let them in. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human. And sometimes, that support feels nothing short of magical.

So today, let yourself breathe.
Give yourself some grace.
Create a little space.
And focus on just one thing at a time.

You will get there.

And when you forget—because we all do—come back to this reminder again and again:

Be kind.
Be gentle.
With yourself.

Many blessings,
Julie Burningham
The Hope Coach
Shine Bright Life Coaching