

Life is gonna life. Although that might not be the most warm-fuzzy kind of way to start an article, that doesn’t make the fact any less true — and real. And since, as the Good Book says (Ecclesiastes 3), there is a time and season for everything, including weeping, losing, mourning, and other challenges, it’s really important that we exercise compassion.
Compassion is all about seeing the stress and hard times that someone is going through and having a strong desire to reduce it in some way. It’s about extending empathy. It’s about showing kindness (more on that in a bit). It’s also about giving the kind of support and space for them to feel, then heal, then come out a better version of themselves as a direct result of whatever got them to a place of needing some compassion in the first place.
Don’t get me started on how many of us could stand to take a master class as it relates to extending compassion overall. Oh, but if there’s one “compassion lane” that very few seem to drive on through life at all, it’s self-compassion — you know, learning not to be so hard on yourself, coming up with ways to extend yourself some mercy and tenderness, doing things that will soften your heart towards your own self.
While recently reading an article on self-compassion, I peeped a line in it that said, “I am patient with the process of becoming who I am.” And honestly, I don’t know if self-compassion can be explained any clearer than that.
So, what if you’re someone who knows that you could stand to learn more about the process and practice of becoming more self-compassionate yet you’re not exactly sure where to start? If that’s what’s going on, you’ve come to the right place. While these 12 tips only scratch the surface of how to give yourself more compassion, I think it will help you to get off to a really beautiful start.
1. Do Affirmation Meditations
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Not too long ago, I was having a conversation with a friend about how much they overthink. When I asked them if they ever meditate, they said, “Every day. But after like two minutes, I have to do something else.” Umm…no. LOL. Believe it or not, for meditation to be truly effective, you need to devote somewhere between 20-45 minutes — still, calm, quiet.
Here’s the thing, though. You don’t have to sit in complete silence (if silence is a struggle for you). ASMR nature sounds (like rain, ocean waves, etc.), listening to guided instructions, or practicing mantras qualify as quality meditation too.
As far as mantras go, something that I sometimes recommend to my clients is doing affirmation meditations — you know, verbally reciting positive expressions about themselves. There are plenty of studies to support the fact that repeating things over and over can literally train your brain to think a certain way and even reprogram your subconscious. If you add to that the fact that meditation also helps to de-stress you, remove anxiety, boost creativity, keep you mindful, and help you to cope with “life life-ing”…why wouldn’t you want to love on yourself this way more often?
If affirmation mediations are something that interests you, over the next few days, come up with 10 sentences that will speak positivity in your space. Make sure that they are about building your self-esteem (like “I am rare and that is amazing”) and/or cultivating the kind of reality you want to have (like “I am in my purpose and my needs will be met because of it”). The more you declare these things, the easier it will be to become confident — and that can help you to feel good about yourself…no matter what may be happening around you.
2. Spend More Time in Nature
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Every couple of years, I will revisit one of my favorite books —The Celestine Prophecy. One of my favorite takeaways is how important it is to spend time in nature in order to absorb some of its energy. Since taking a walk outside, doing some journaling outdoors, or even enjoying a sip of wine on your porch after dinner can help to calm you, improve your concentration, lower your risk for heart disease and give you a good dose of Vitamin D (which is a nutrient that an overwhelming amount of Black women are deficient that actually increases the chances of having bacterial vaginosis) — it is very clear how/why being outside as often as possible is truly an act of self-care.
3. Let Yourself Off of the Hook More Often
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I am a firm believer that a part of the reason why a lot of people suck at forgiving others (check out “Are You A 'Bad Forgiver'? Read This And See.”) is because they suck even more at forgiving themselves. Just think about it — there is a certain level of awareness, humility, and understanding, when it comes to the mercy that you must have, to be able to grasp that if you want to only be around people who are not going to ever make mistakes, hurt your feelings or disappoint you, you might as well prepare to be mad on a daily basis because NOT EVEN YOU can pull that off with yourself (some of y’all will catch that later).
Without a doubt, forgiveness is an act of compassion because you are literally saying to others, “I get that you aren’t perfect and sometimes I need to not punish you for that fact.” This is such a profound way to live because it also means that you know that, sooner or later, the same forgiveness that you extend to others, you will need them to grant you — that’s how relationships work. Healthy ones anyway.
And here’s the thing — a great way to get some practice in this area is to forgive yourself — to literally “let yourself off of the hook” for things that you’ve done. It’s not about refusing to hold yourself accountable and/or not accepting the consequences that may come with your actions. It’s more about not rehearsing what transpired over and over again to the point where you build up resentment, humiliation, or even anger toward yourself. Because really, what good is that going to do?
Being compassionate by letting yourself off of the hook is taking time to feel what you feel and then choosing to learn from it and move on with the full intention of doing better the next time. I promise you that the more you learn to forgive, the less suffering you will experience — when it comes to how you deal with yourself and how you interact with others too.
4. Intentionally Reprogram “Negative Biases”
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A couple of years ago, I penned an article for the platform entitled, “10 Ways To Keep Social Media From Triggering You (So Much).” One of the things that I mentioned in it is something known as negative (or negativity) bias. The science behind negative bias is that we’re basically hard-wired to lean toward negativity instead of positivity. This is why, if you ask someone to name five things that they like about themselves, they will probably mention the not-so-good stuff first or if a good news story pops up in a Twitter timeline, folks will skim over that and look for the entertainment gossip instead.
Another interesting thing about negative bias is it causes us to make decisions based on negative experiences instead of positive information that we may have received beforehand. In short, negative bias encourages us to take in intel that really isn’t beneficial — just easier to process because we naturally look at life from a glass-half-empty perspective.
So, now that you know what negative bias is, you might be curious about what you can do to avoid allowing it to consume you. One thing that you can do is take breaks from negativity — people, places, things, and ideas. Another thing that you can do is intentionally fill your being with positive things — upbeat music, positive conversations, and activities that make you feel good about yourself. Also, try and learn to see situations from a positive perspective — you know, like instead of constantly asking yourself, “Why is this always happening to me?” reframe your psyche by saying instead, “How is this going to work for my good?”
Working through negative biases requires quite a bit of intentionality and effort yet when you master putting the positive over the negative, it really can make you unstoppable on so many life-related levels.
5. Set Better Boundaries
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There is a motto I made up some time ago that I have been rocking with that has brought me complete and total peace for a while now — “Be okay with being someone’s consequence. Sometimes you’ll be the best lesson that they will ever learn because you were the only one who followed through with a firm consequence for their actions.”
Listen, you don’t have the time and I don’t have the keystroke energy to get into how extreme I’ve had to go on setting limits with certain people because they were insistent on violating the boundaries that I set. It had gotten to the point where even hearing their name triggered feelings of anxiety and stress and that’s because not only were they not honoring my boundaries, but other people would try and make me feel bad for setting the boundary with them in the first place (which is just another form or revictimization).
If you don’t get nothin’ else out of this article, please hear me when I say that you should NEVER FEEL BAD FOR SETTING BOUNDARIES WITH OTHER PEOPLE. Boundaries convey limits. Boundaries are a form of protection. Boundaries are what help you to make the most out of your time, effort, energy, and resources too.
And just how can you know that you are someone who exists with healthy boundaries? Good question.
- If you don’t have a lot of toxic people in your life, chances are, you’ve set good boundaries.
- If you don’t struggle with making choices that are best for you, chances are, you’ve set good boundaries.
- If you don’t go through life feeling triggered all of the time, chances are, you’ve set good boundaries.
- If you have no problem saying “no” and verbally stating your feelings and needs, chances are, you’ve set good boundaries.
- If you don’t allow people to gaslight or manipulate you, chances are, you’ve set good boundaries.
It’s a wise person who said that the only people who hate boundaries are the ones who have every intention of violating them once they are set. That said, never feel bad for placing limits that will help you to live your best life in a space of tranquility and harmony. After all, doing what will keep you safe is one of the best forms of self-compassion that there is.
6. Give Yourself a Head and/or Foot Massage
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Something that I treated myself to a few months ago is a battery-operated scalp massager. Although the initial intention was so it would help with hair length retention, I’m also aware that giving myself a scalp massage does everything from increase blood circulation to my head and reduce tension to relieve headaches and help me to relax better before turning in at night.
Another way to treat yourself along these same lines is a foot massage. Although there’s nothing quite like booking a professional reflexology appointment, even if you warm up a mixture of a carrier oil (like sweet almond, grapeseed, or avocado) along with a few drops of a calming essential oil (like lavender, bergamot or chamomile) and rub your feet with it, applying gentle pressure to them will help to relieve tension, improve blood circulation to your feet, keep the muscles and tissues in your feet healthy, improve your quality of sleep at night and give you an energy boost during the day too.
7. Get on Some Sort of Subscription Service
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A single woman was telling me recently that one thing that she hates about her relational status is her top love language is gifts and she wants to receive things from someone who she loves. “So, why not sign up for a subscription service?”, I asked her. She rolled her eyes and said, “That’s not what I mean.”
Girl, I know what you’re talking about but if you’re gonna wait for a man to send you some flowers, a bottle of wine, or your favorite self-care products — who knows when that will be? Not only that but you are actually volunteering to bring more stress and anxiety into your life by acting like you should put nurturing yourself on hold until someone else decides to do it for you.
Since these days, there are services that will mail you things on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis, why not budget to get on somebody’s list? These days, subscription services have become so popular that you can find one for make-up, hair care, clothing, jewelry, snacks, aromatherapy, plants — you name it (a list of some currently popular ones is located here, here, here, here and a list of Black-owned ones are found here)!
Hey, getting something in the mail that’s not a bill is always bomb…even if the item is actually coming from yourself. Feel me?
8. Spend Time with Your “Inner Little Girl”
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As I’m currently getting certified to life coach in the area(s) of trauma, it has been…tragically wild to see how many other students have been traumatized due to having a toxic mother in their lives (past and current). I mean, you’ve already taken in so much information, so I’ll just say that if you can totally relate and there are areas where you know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that your mother dropped the ball as you were growing up and it has caused some “holes” in your life because of it, something that can help is to nurture those very areas of yourself.
For instance, if you grew up with an emotionally abusive mother, there is no way around the fact that it did a number on your self-esteem. And that could be why, whenever someone teases you, even if it’s in jest, you find yourself super triggered, perhaps to the point of even throwing a mini-temper tantrum — it’s a wounded space where you are still emotionally “stuck” in a way.
So, what do you do? Journal about it. Pray about it. Speak to your space people about that being a “tender area” for you, so that they can be more gentle while interacting with you. Also, ponder what you wish you had received at the time, from your mother (or whoever caused the pain), and then accept that because you are now in complete control over your space and psyche, you can give your own self those things — then do just that.
There are plenty of studies to support that wherever a person was traumatized, they emotionally remain that age until they address it and heal from it. Therapy can be one way to do it. Another is to seek out those “inner little girl” places and give her the attention — the right kind of attention — that she never got before.
9. Speak to and About Yourself Without Violence
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Hands down, one of my favorite things about this season of my life is a course that I’m taking on nonviolent communication. I’m telling you, the more that I deep dive into the topic, the more I see just how VIOLENT folks are while interacting with others.
Case in point. When I asked my instructor to break down what it means to be a nonviolent communicator to someone who may not be studying it at the level that I am, she shared something with me that I’ve been telling just about anyone who will listen. She said, “Shellie, if you are speaking to someone or they are speaking to you without the following three things being present, there is some form of violence that is transpiring, whether you realize it or not: safety, respect, understanding.”
Pretty powerful, right? In communication, people should feel safe enough to be their authentic selves, should know that their thoughts and feelings are going to be respected, and that the person who is listening to them is going to do their best to understand where they are coming from. Otherwise, there is more force, aggression, and stress in the exchange than there needs to be.
So, take a moment to ponder and process. Whether it’s your personal or professional relationships, who are the people you communicate nonviolently with? Who are the ones who communicate nonviolently with you? Honestly, a part of the reason why a lot of people struggle with self-compassion is they are constantly suffering at the hands of those who don’t engage them in a way that they should require — in a way that they should also…deliver. This includes speaking nonviolently to yourself.
10. Schedule Pampering, Leisure and Sleep Time
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If you can’t remember the last time that you did something to treat yourself and also to get off of the grid (which is not necessarily the same thing, by the way) and your reason — which is really more like an excuse — is you’ve been too busy or you haven’t had the time, frankly, I don’t believe you. The saying that we make time for what is important to us doesn’t have exceptions; it’s true across the board. Besides, if you don’t “have time” to pamper yourself or do something that you truly enjoy, simply because you enjoy it, that’s a bit of a red flag, wouldn’t you say?
And don’t even get me started on sleep deprivation. So many folks are walking around here being moody as hell, totally unproductive at work, and with a weak immunity…and the root cause is they think that getting five hours of sleep is actually doing something. You’re not. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you’re under 60, you need at least seven hours — not every once in a while…each and every night (if you’re over that, 7-9 is ideal).
So yes, scheduling in time for kind indulgence (pampering), relaxation and definitely sleep are sho ‘nuf acts of self-compassion. That’s why they should never be seen as luxuries; they are definitely necessities in life.
11. Learn the Differences Between Nice and Kind
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I’m not big on the word “nice.” Honestly, I never really have been because it always feels so…performative to me. If you add to that the fact that even the Bible doesn’t say that “love is nice” but “love is KIND” (I Corinthians 13:4) — sticking with kind is the kind of hill that I am perfectly willing to die on.
Think about it. Being nice basically means that you’re an agreeable person and while there is a time and place for being that way, sometimes that’s how we get ourselves into situations where folks are out here taking advantage of us, where we’re not showing our genuine selves because we’re so focused on walking on eggshells or “going along to get along” and/or we end up in situations where people literally mistake our kindness for weakness (le sigh).
On the other hand, being kind is all about being gentle, helpful, considerate, friendly, and not harmful to other individuals. Here’s the thing, though — when you’re kind, it doesn’t have to be at the expense of your own boundaries, needs, or feelings. You can gently set a boundary. You can help someone without it always being at the expense of yourself (meaning, you can do it when you have the time, energy, and resources). You can feel good about knowing that any grown person (family or otherwise) who tells you that taking care of you should not be as important as taking care of them is a form of gaslighting — that you aren’t harming someone simply because you won’t do whatever it is that they think that you should.
I’m telling you, when it comes to getting on the path of self-compassion, it is a real game-changer to know the differences between being nice and being kind. Try it and I’m pretty confident that you’ll see just what I am talkin’ about.
12. Toast Yourself Every Day
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There really is no telling, just how many articles I’ve written (even on this platform) where I mention that I make it a point and practice toasting myself on a daily basis. Why? Well, even though I’m pretty sure that everyone reading this has been a part of a formal toast before, I’m not sure how many of y’all have actually sat and thought about what a toast represents. It’s a way of wishing someone future success, happiness, and health; it can also be a way of celebrating someone’s accomplishments.
Listen, at the time that I’m actually penning this, it’s not even noon yet and I already know that I’m gonna toast myself later because I didn’t straight up cuss out someone who’s been trying me for the past couple of weeks — and yes, that is worth celebrating, chile!
The reality is that a lot of people stay in the cycle of self-induced suffering and it’s because all they think about is their weaknesses and/or shortcomings and/or mistakes and/or all of the things that they need to do that they haven’t done (which can induce stress, overthinking and feeling completely overwhelmed). Toasting yourself reminds you that although you have a ways to go, you’ve also come a long way too — one step at a time.
So, as we bring this finally to a close, determine that tonight, you’re gonna pull out a flute, pour yourself some bubbly (even if it’s sparkling cider), and verbally toast yourself for some sort of reached goal or internal triumph. It’s another way to extend yourself some compassion — in a way that you probably never thought you deserved or even needed before. Salute, sis. SALUTE.
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Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
Watch the full episode below:
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
'When You Build It, They Can’t Tell You You Can’t Sit': DJ Miss Milan, Marsai Martin & More Talk Confidence
The Marie Claire Power Play Summit wasn’t just another branded panel event—it was an inspiring, sometimes emotional, and always honest look at what it really takes to rise, thrive, and stay at the top. From Olympians to entrepreneurs, artists to execs, the room was full of powerful women sharing the real stories behind their highlight reels. I walked away moved by their vulnerability, strength, and refusal to dim their light.
Here are some of my favorite takeaways from three standout panels featuring Jordan Chiles, Marsai Martin, and Kandi Burruss.
Leveling Up Your A-Game with Jordan Chiles, Morgan Shaw Parker, Chelsea Fishman, Laura Correnti, and Tabitha Turner-Wilkins
Jordan Chiles
Paras Griffin/ Getty Images for Power Play
Olympic gymnast Jordan may have medals and magazine covers to her name, but her mindset is refreshingly grounded. “The day I finally feel pressure,” she said, “will be the day I know there’s still more for me to learn.” For her, joy—not pressure—is the fuel. Her confidence isn’t performative; it’s rooted in family, self-worth, and authenticity.
“Everything I’ve done in my career—tattoos, long nails, rocking my crew at the Olympics—that’s all me. It’s not because someone told me to do it. It’s because I felt confident doing it. And that’s where my ambition comes from: being my authentic self.”
For Morgan Shaw Parker, President & COO of the Atlanta Dream, the conversation around pressure went even deeper. “Legacy work” is how she described her mission—navigating male-dominated spaces, sometimes pregnant and pumping on NFL team planes. “After COVID and George Floyd,” she shared, “it became clear to me: vulnerability is power. You don’t have to show up perfect to lead.”
Chelsea Fishman, founder of Atlanta's first bar dedicated to women’s sports, Jolene Jolene, shared how the haters (especially the Reddit kind) were her confirmation: “All those comments saying it would fail—those were the signs that I was doing something right.” She’s hosted 25+ watch parties already and is building the very community they said would never come.
This panel also touched on ambition, authenticity, and owning your power—both in sneakers and in suits. One of the best mic-drop moments came when the moderator flipped the question: “What if we stopped making ‘power’ a bad word for women?” A nod-worthy reminder that we’re not here to play small.
Making Your Voice Heard with Marsai Martin, Carol Martin, Miss Milan, and Heather McMahan
Marsai Martin
Paras Griffin/ Getty Images for Power Play
This panel was a masterclass in staying grounded while growing up—or glamming up—on the global stage. Actress and producer Marsai talked about what it’s like to show up in high-pressure moments when your confidence is low but the world is still watching. From red carpets to long shoot days, she reminded us that even when you’re not at 100%, you still find a way to push through.
“There have been days where I wasn’t feeling the best, but I still had to show up on this carpet. Or it was that time of the month, but I still had to go on set. I just didn’t feel as confident—but it’s about how you take care of yourself in those moments and still keep pushing.”
Her mom and business partner Carol Martin dropped gems about motherhood and mentorship: “It’s like teaching your kid to ride a bike over and over again. Now the bike is a movie or a brand.” That balance between guiding and letting go? Not easy—but essential when you’re raising a mogul and running a company.
“There have been days where I wasn’t feeling the best, but I still had to show up on this carpet. Or it was that time of the month, but I still had to go on set. I just didn’t feel as confident—but it’s about how you take care of yourself in those moments and still keep pushing.”
Miss Milan, Grammy Award-winning DJ and Doechii’s right-hand woman, lit the crowd up with her no-nonsense energy. “I built my own table,” she said. “When you build it, they can’t tell you you can’t sit.” From journaling her dreams to manifesting Grammys, her story is one of resilience and intention—and a whole lot of faith in her own vision.
This panel didn’t shy away from hard truths either: the sadness that can come with success, the fear of fading relevance, the criticism that hits differently when it’s personal. But Marsai said it best: know your why. And let it evolve with you.
The Cost of Starting Your Own Business with Kandi Burruss and Nikki Ogunnaike
Kandi Burruss
Carol Lee Rose/ Getty Images for Marie ClaireKandi doesn’t sugarcoat the grind. From chart-topping songwriter to multi-business entrepreneur, she’s built her empire one risk—and one reinvention—at a time.
“Fear equals failure. If you don’t even try, you’ve failed automatically —and you did it to yourself. I’d rather take a risk and lose money than play it safe and never know what could’ve happened.”
She broke down the real costs of entrepreneurship: money, time, and emotional bandwidth. “You think you’re going to work less when you work for yourself?” she laughed. “You’re going to work more.” For Kandi, mommy guilt and financial setbacks are part of the package—but so is the satisfaction of seeing an idea through.
She opened up about scaling back on her clothing store and temporarily closing the original Old Lady Gang location. “It felt like failure,” she admitted, “but sometimes you have to step back to make things better.” Still, she’s not one to quit. She just pivots—with precision.
One of her most memorable reflections? How her music career hiccup led her to songwriting—ultimately writing the mega-hit “No Scrubs.” That song became the key to a new lane and legacy. “You may think you’re working on one dream,” she said, “but it could open the door to another.”
Also? Kandi wants you to stop emailing her from a Gmail. “You’re doing million-dollar business on a bootleg budget,” she joked. “Invest in yourself. Start with a domain name!”
The Marie Claire Power Play Summit was a powerful reminder that ambition, authenticity, and vulnerability aren’t separate traits—they work in tandem. Whether you’re building a bar, a brand, or a business from scratch, the key is to stay rooted in your voice, your story, and your why.
And if you need a sign to go for it? Consider this your green light.
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Feature image by Paras Griffin/ Getty Images for Power Play