I have been on a journey lately to be a better friend to myself. I have realised that I am much harder on myself than I would ever be with a friend or family member. I seem able to easily forgive others for unhelpful things they do or say, but take myself to task for even the smallest mistake. I’m trying to understand why that is, and to change my inner voice, to be as kind to myself as I try to be to others.

While practicing yoga this morning, one of the moves included placing my hands on my heart centre and focusing on it. As my hands touched each other, I thought what a physical, calming way to put being my own friend into practice, so I held my own hand for a while and said soothing words. We have all probably rubbed our hands together to warm them up, wrung them when we are nervous, even clasped them in prayer or pleading, but have we ever held our hands as we would hold the hand of another we loved?

Hold your hand and tell yourself how much you care, and you might feel the little leap in your heart that I did this morning.