I think it's always going to be hard over riding that knee jerk response of learn behaviour society and certain people instil in you. And that nagging fear of being a bad person deep down.
But goodness is a series of choices, kindness is a series of choices. Being soft is waking up and looking at your younger self and going "I know why you did this, but no more." and then walking away from that. As often as you can. And I love people who manage to do that.