A New Feature in Oprah Daily

3 Simple Ways to be Kinder to Yourself

Dear Friends,

I’m excited to share that I was recently featured in a new Oprah Daily piece, 3 Simple Ways to Be Kinder to Yourself.

We can be incredibly hard on ourselves when we make a mistake, fall back into an old pattern, or simply don’t handle something the way we wish we had.

Our minds can quickly go to: What’s wrong with me? I should know better by now. But what if we met those moments differently?

One of the practices I shared with Oprah Daily is one of my Lemonade Mantras that I come back to again and again:

1. Where’s Love and Forgiveness?

That simple question shifts our attention away from self-criticism and back toward the love and forgiveness that are always available within us.

"WHERE'S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS?" A SIMPLE QUESTION THAT SHIFTS YOUR ATTENTION FROM SELF-CRITICISM TO SELF- COMPASSION. - ELIZABETH WINKLER

Forgiveness is something we so often think about giving to others. But we need it, too.

Self-forgiveness doesn’t erase responsibility or mean we stop learning from our mistakes. It allows us to learn without continuing to punish ourselves.

The other reminder I shared is one I love:

2. Remember, You’re Learning How To Walk

Think about a baby taking their first steps. When they fall, we don’t criticize them or wonder why they haven't figured it out yet.

We reach out our hands. We encourage them. We help them get back up.

REMEMBER: YOU'RE LEARNING TO WALK. "WHEN A BABY IS LEARNING TO WALK AND FALLS DOWN, WE DON'T SAY, 'WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?' WE HELP THEM UP AND ENCOURAGE THEM." WHAT IF YOU OFFERED YOURSELF THE SAME KINDNESS WHEN YOU STUMBLE? WEWINKLERTHERAPY

No matter how old we are, there will always be something we are learning how to walk through—a relationship, a loss, a transition, a new version of ourselves.

Life is unfolding in each moment, and so are we.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO TURN A MISTAKE INTO AN IDENTITY. YOU CAN NOTICE WHAT HAPPENED. LEARN FROM IT. OFFER YOURSELF COMPASSION. AND BEGIN AGAIN. WHERE COULD YOU BE A LITTLE KINDER TO YOURSELF TODAY?

Meet yourself with kindness. Get back up. Keep going. You’re still learning how to walk—one baby step at a time.

With love,
Elizabeth

The Four Agreements Journey Is Back This Fall

If you’ve been wanting to go deeper into this work, Laura Wright and I are bringing back our four-week Four Agreements Journey, beginning September 19.

This isn’t a book club. It’s an opportunity to put these teachings into practice and explore the agreements that shape how you relate to yourself and your life.

Elizabeth and Laura holding book

In Case You Missed It…

Earlier this year, I was also featured in Oprah Daily, sharing simple ways to practice mindfulness in everyday life—without adding another thing to your to-do list.