"La forma en que la gente vive hoy, yo diría, nunca hagas a los demás lo que te haces a ti mismo."

In this day and age, the way people treat themselves is often harsh and unforgiving. The quote suggests that, considering our current self-critical tendencies, we should avoid treating others the way we treat ourselves. Think about it. We're constantly judging ourselves, pushing ourselves to the brink of exhaustion, and rarely showing the compassion we truly need. If we treated others the way we treat ourselves, we'd probably have very few friends left.

Historically speaking, this quote flips the well-known Golden Rule on its head. The Golden Rule—"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"—has been a cornerstone of ethical behavior for centuries. But maybe it's time for a re-evaluation. The world has changed, and self-compassion is at an all-time low, thanks to social media, high-stress jobs, and the never-ending chase for success. We're harder on ourselves than ever before.

Let's dive into a real-life example. Picture a young corporate attorney named Lisa. She works 60-hour weeks, skips meals, and berates herself for any minor mistake. She’d never dream of treating a colleague the same way. One day, she finally cracks and shares her struggles with a friend. Her friend is horrified by how Lisa treats herself and points out that she would never talk to someone else that way. This conversation is eye-opening for Lisa. She realizes that if she applied the same harshness to others, she’d be seen as a bully.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by recognizing your inner dialogue. Are you overly critical? Do you push yourself too hard? If so, it’s time to change that narrative. When you catch yourself being harsh, pause and ask, "Would I say this to a friend?" If the answer is no, reconsider your approach. Show yourself the kindness and understanding you'd extend to others. It's a practice, not a quick fix, but it can transform your mental and emotional well-being.

Now, imagine a scenario. Think about Sarah, a high school teacher who always pushes her students to excel. She’s patient, encouraging, and understanding. However, when it comes to her own work, she’s relentless—spending countless hours planning, grading, and stressing over every minor detail. One day, a student notices Sarah’s exhaustion and hands her a note that says, "You’re doing great. Don’t be so hard on yourself." Sarah is taken aback. She realizes she’s been treating herself in a way she’d never treat her students. This simple act of kindness sparks a change. She starts setting boundaries, taking breaks, and practicing self-compassion.

So, the next time you’re tempted to be harsh on yourself, remember this twist on the Golden Rule. We’re usually our own worst critics. If you wouldn't treat someone else that way, don’t treat yourself that way. Life’s challenging enough without adding unnecessary self-criticism. Take a deep breath, cut yourself some slack, and be the friend you need. You deserve it.