How You Can Get Your Self-Esteem Back on Track in Under 20 Minutes

The hardest expectations to live up to are often our own, especially if we're juggling a multitude of roles. From being a supportive partner to a fun friend and a hardworking employee, we don't have much time left for ourselves. When was the last time you showed yourself some compassion? Better yet, what even is "self-love?" Lynne Goldberg, founder of OMG, I Can Meditate, assures us that it's actually pretty simple and not as elusive or hoity-toity as it may sound. Specifically, she tells Well + Good, "Self-love is all about cutting yourself some slack."

When you see your friends beating up on themselves, you probably give them the same advice. So to treat yourself the way you strive to treat your friends, your work, your family, and anything else you care about. Quiet "the voices inside your head that tell you that you aren’t good enough, pretty enough, strong enough—and [shut] them up for good," advises Goldberg.

Though that sounds like a lofty goal, you can actually start doing it right now, even at your desk or in the office bathroom. Seriously—all you need is 20 minutes and a pair of headphones. Tune into the guided exercise below to dismantle your inner critic, and shift that internal dialogue to one of acceptance and compassion.

How did it go? Let us know what you think in the comments below.