The other area that being a good friend to yourself really applies is the idea of our thoughts. And again, many times we are more naturally encouraging towards a friend when they're going through a hard time in our words towards them than we are to ourselves.

So moving towards a more self compassionate narrative is a huge way to be a greater friend to yourself. And examples of that would be like “hey, it's okay,”or “you made a mistake, let's acknowledge it.” But your life is not over, all is not doomed, you can try again, you can show up, it's a new day…it's really just softening the narrative from anything that's so harsh, condemning or accusatory to an inner narrative that is more motivating, more encouraging.

Just because something's been a pattern doesn't mean it has to continue. There is hope to break patterns—to create new dynamics…It's not the conflict itself that's the problem. It's really examining the patterns. Do we have healthy dynamics around communication? Do we have a posture of voicing in an assertive way what we're feeling and what we need and also listening to the person we're in relationship with, what's going on with them, what do they need? What do you need together for it to be a healthier dynamic?