“Hello and welcome back! You are listening to Find Your Kind the podcast with your host Delaney Janks. You’re currently listening to this podcast on the Hopewell Valley Student Publications Network where students come together to publish content to share with the world. Please note that the opinions expressed in this episode are mine, and mine alone. In this episode, “The Art of Self Love”, my goal is to talk about how we can begin the journey of being kinder to ourselves by shifting our mindset to one of self-compassion, and forgiveness.

1. Previous episodes focused on kindness in all other aspects but towards ourselves; I want to change that.
2. Derived from Buddhist psychology, self-compassion entails treating yourself with kindness and care like we would treat a dear friend.
3. Self-kindness can vary from taking a self-care day to acting in a kind and understanding way towards yourself.
4. Sometimes we get so caught up in being kind to others, that we forget the importance of being kind to ourselves as well. 
5. It's hard to forgive yourself for your own mistakes, disappointments, etc, but perhaps because we were never taught how to.

1. Being kinder to ourselves may require a little effort and time on our part.
2. We can apply techniques such as self-reflection, self-care, appreciating simple joys and even journaling to our daily lives to remind us to be kind to ourselves.
3. Others ways to practice self-kindness:
4. Self-compassion letter
5. Write a self-compassionate letter where you identify something about yourself that makes you feel ashamed, insecure, or not good enough. Then, express understanding, acceptance, and compassion for that part of yourself that you dislike. 
6. Read the letter later.
7. Take care of your physical health
8. When we’re feeling down, our bodies tend to hang on to all of that pent-up energy and emotion. 
9. A great way to clear that energy is through physical exercise.
10. Have a “Self-Care Day”
11. Draw yourself a bath, cook your favorite food, or choose to stay in for a movie night.
12. You can also buy yourself flowers—There is a great power in treating yourself in the same manner as you would treat someone you loved. 
13. “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserved your own love and