If, for example, we judge ourselves harshly and are incapable or unwilling to acknowledge our own emotions, we will struggle in our relationships with others. If we make a mistake and our self-talk is, “I’m so stupid. I can’t do anything right,” then we are more likely to turn to our child or partner who has made a mistake and convey the same feelings (even if we don’t say them out loud). Empathy and connection require us to know and accept ourselves before we can know and accept others.
