How To Become Your Own Best Friend - by Suzan van der Goes

COURSE

How To Become Your Own Best Friend

With Suzan van der Goes

In 10 days, I will guide you on a journey together in exploring different ways to be kinder and more compassionate with ourselves. We are often quite harsh, judgmental, and full of criticism, especially for ourselves. We say things to ourselves that we would never say to anyone else and yet we will say it to ourselves over and over again! By being more kind to yourself, by befriending yourself, you can be there for yourself especially when times are hard. You can let go of perfectionism and the fear of failure and life will feel easier and more pleasant! You will live your life with more ease. And a nice side effect is, that if you are kinder to yourself, you automatically become kinder to other people! You judge less and develop more compassion. So not only will you become a better friend to yourself, but you also become a better friend to someone else! In this course, you will discover how you can be kinder, friendlier, and more compassionate to yourself in small steps. You learn to be more in the present moment, to be aware of all the good things in your life, and develop more gratitude and self-compassion. All ingredients to become your own best friend!


Meet your Teacher

Suzan van der Goes is a mindfulness and self compassion teacher since 2010. She is a valued contributor on Insight Timer since 2016. Self compassion is very important for her because with more self compassion you will be able to take better care of yourself, become more resilient and more kind to yourself and others.

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10 Days

1.5k students

4.8 stars

14 min / day

Acceptance

English


Lesson 1

Being Grounded

In this session, we take time to discover the basis of mindful awareness and kindness. You discover ways to ground yourself in the present moment. This will hep you to come back to the present moment in difficult and stressful times. If you are grounded you will be less reactive and be more present and compassionate.

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Lesson 2

Negativity Bias

Today, we will discover why we all pay so much attention to all negative things, the Negativity Bias. In this meditation, we explore the senses and discover pleasant and beautiful things in everyday life. Thus bringing our attention back to the here and now and enjoying all that comes on our path. Things we sometimes take for granted and don't pay attention to.

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Lesson 3

Awareness With A Smile

In this lesson, we will be aware of the beautiful things in life. Awareness of what is good, what is nice, and pleasant. You discover what a smile can do and how you can train your brain to see and experience good moments.

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Lesson 4

The Wisdom Of Self-Compassion

In this session, you will learn more about self-compassion. I briefly discuss Kristin Neff's theory of self-compassion. We do a practical exercise in which you experience what self-compassion can mean to you, especially at times when life is difficult, painful, or stressful.

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Lesson 5

The Power of Gratitude

In this lesson, we will practice gratitude for yourself and for everything there is in our lives. A powerful tool to live life with more joy, kindness, and calmness. Gratitude helps you to enjoy the small and beautiful things in life.

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Lesson 6

Your Body As Your Best Friend

In today's lesson, we connect with our bodies in a gentle and compassionate way. In the meditation we explore the body with compassion and gratitude. You will find ways to take good care of yourself and your body.

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Lesson 7

Forgiveness

In this lesson, we will cover the topic of forgiveness. Forgiveness means taking things that happened less personally. Let go of the pain and anger. Forgiveness does not mean that you approve of the actions of the other person but that it will no longer hold you captive. This will make you feel lighter and gives you freedom. It is not easy but you can start with very small steps!

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Lesson 8

Find Peace and Calm in the Midst Of Chaos

Equanimity and acceptance are the topics of this lesson. If you can be calm in a difficult situation, you can make better choices, and feel what you need. In today's meditation we practice with equanimity.

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Lesson 9

Kindness In Every Day Life

In this lesson, we'll look at an important question. What do I need? And we will practice with kind wishes. How can you be there to yourself in times when it's hard not so much to take the suffering away but because you suffer. How can you be there for yourself in the middle of the storm.

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Lesson 10

Make Peace With Yourself

In the last lesson, we will look at all the things you have learned and in the meditation you can befriend yourself, make peace with yourself and thus live your life with more compassion and kindness!

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4.8 (26)

Recent Reviews

Annie

November 14, 2025

Loved her kind, encouraging tone. Good quotes & meditations. It was helpful. Thanks!

Katherine

October 8, 2025

Thank you for this wonderful course. It was very helpful and informative. I especially now want to learn more about equanimity.

Larry

May 13, 2025

Such a lovely and helpful course. Thank you!

Yvonne

December 24, 2024

More tools for my wellbeing for which I am grateful. Has helped me in many ways.

Chris

December 9, 2024

Thank you for the new course. The concepts are simple to explain but difficult to master. I expect the revisit the course occasionally.

Beth

June 12, 2024

Thank you! I’ve really enjoyed this course.

Alice

August 5, 2023

this was a beautiful course with some wonderfully inspiring sections 🙏

Ema

July 6, 2023

Thank you for this course. It is really good, and it has helped me to be more present and self compassionate with myself.

Heidi

June 16, 2023

Thank you for your calming course.

jim

April 11, 2023

Delightful mix of information as well as follow-on mindful meditation. I plan to listen to this again and again.

SJ

April 1, 2023

Very compassionate and gentle course. Well done’

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