By: Linnea Knisely, Perfectly Imperfect
Have you ever reached a point where your body, your heart, and your spirit just couldn’t take one more thing? I have. I remember the exact moment. I was sitting on the bathroom floor, the world quiet except for the sound of my own breath; shaky, shallow, tired. Not tired like “I need a nap,” but the kind of tired you feel down to your bones. The kind of tiredness that makes you question how you will keep going. I had been holding everything together for so long. I felt I had to keep smiling, pushing, and pretending. I told myself I had to be strong. That I couldn’t fall apart. That other people had it worse. That I was too sensitive. Too emotional. Too much. Not enough. And then… I broke.
I cried so hard, not because I was weak, but because I had finally hit the wall. The wall of perfectionism. Of chronic pain. Of emotional burnout. Of pretending I was okay. That moment cracked something open in me.
I Realized I Was Hurting Myself With My Own Words
The truth is, I would never speak to someone else the way I was speaking to myself. I wouldn’t tell a friend, “You’re so dramatic. Just deal with it.” I wouldn’t tell a loved one, “You should be doing more. Why are you so behind?” But I said those things to myself, all the time. I thought beating myself up would make me stronger. If I just pushed harder, I’d get through. But all it did was leave me exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from my own heart.
That Was the Beginning of My Self-Compassion Journey
I didn’t suddenly wake up the next day overflowing with grace and gentleness. But I did begin to notice my inner dialogue. I started to ask myself those questions, in doing so I started to notice a little more of my light coming back. Not because I got it all right but because I finally stopped demanding perfection. When I started speaking to myself like I was someone I cared about, everything shifted.
What Self-Compassion Looks Like for Me Now
It doesn’t mean I’m soft all the time. I still have tough days. I still mess up. Except now, I notice the voice of shame when it creeps in and I meet it with compassion instead of cruelty.
Self-compassion looks like:
● Letting myself cry without apologizing for it
● Saying, “This is hard, but I’m doing the best I can”
● Canceling plans when my body says no
● Choosing rest without guilt
● Journaling through the chaos instead of stuffing it down
It’s not always easy. But it’s always worth it! When I started this journey, I couldn’t find many resources that held space for both the pain and the healing. So I created what I needed: a space to be honest, imperfect, and kind to myself, all at the same time.
My book, Imperfectly You – Navigating Your Journey with Compassion, is a journal, a guide, and a reminder that you are already worthy, especially on the days you feel far from it.
Inside, you’ll find:
● Gentle prompts to help you reflect with softness
● Affirmations that speak to your weary heart
● Space to write your truth, even the messy, raw parts
● Encouragement to show up for yourself, as you are
This book is for the version of you crying on the bathroom floor. The one pretending to be fine. The one learning to be kinder, softer, and braver and to take it one breath at a time.
You’re Not Broken—You’re Becoming
Self-compassion isn’t something we master. It’s something we practice. Every time you speak to yourself with love, you are rewriting the story. You’re saying: I matter too. You’re saying: I don’t have to be perfect to be at peace. You’re saying: Healing begins with kindness. If any part of my story feels familiar, I want you to know: you’re not alone, you don’thave to carry it all in silence anymore. If you’re ready to take one small step toward a more compassionate relationship with yourself, I invite you to explore Imperfectly You. It was written for you.
You are not too much.
You are not falling behind.
You are imperfectly you and that is more than enough.
