I often wonder why many women, including me, make caring for ourselves less of a priority than caring for others. Self-care seems to require additional time that we don’t feel we have. It could be easier if, each day, we simply chose to be kinder to ourselves that day. This choice would not require hours of our time. It would not require advanced planning.
Being kind to yourself can take just a few moments and you can do it anywhere, anytime!
Today, I heard from several friends who are struggling to hold onto their optimism. In considering ways to be helpful, I decided to make a list of simple ways that you can be kinder to yourself. Some of these suggestions come from blog posts I have written and others from advice I have been given. This is not a comprehensive list. It is a collection of actions that, I hope, will prompt you to make your own list. I gently suggest that you take a few minutes to do this today or sometime this week.
Here are some ways to be kinder and more loving to yourself:
~ Stop. Smile. Take 5 deep breaths.
~ Think of 10 things you love about yourself.
~ Think of 5 things for which you are grateful.
~ Listen to your favorite song. If there are lyrics, sing along!
~ Rub your hands together until they are warm, then place them somewhere on your body that needs your love and attention.
~ Look at a photo that always makes you smile.
~ Forgive yourself!
~ Forgive someone else!
~ Laugh!
~ Look up at the sky and imagine your spirit soaring to the sun or the moon.
~ Hug a tree and feel the love she gives back to you.
~ Move to music for a few minutes.
~ Write yourself a love letter. Place it in an envelope and mail it to yourself.
~ Cross something off your to do list without doing it!
~ Remind yourself to be in the present moment–not in the past, not in the future.
~ Stare at the flame of a candle for at least 2 minutes.
~ Remind yourself that you are already enough and that you have already done enough!
~ Call a friend.
~ Let go of the past!
~ Look into a mirror. Smile and say, “I love you exactly as you are right now.” For this suggestion, I gratefully acknowledge Kathryn (my beloved Mom) and also the author and healer, Louise Hay.
I am sending you love and hoping that you will choose to be loving and kind to yourself in this New Year. You deserve it! đź’ž
If you are willing to share your thoughts about self-kindness, I invite you to share them in the “Leave a Comment” section below. Thank you!
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Photo Credit: © David Burke | Dreamstime.com
This is such an important post. Self-kindness and love is a must. Exercise is the most underused antidepressant. It releases endorphins; the “feel good” neurotransmitters.
Sustaining an exercise routine where you are breathing hard for 20-30 minutes per day is life changing not only physically but also mentally. Give it a try for a few weeks and see the results yourself.
This post brought tears to my eyes. How needed your words are right now, Sharon! The idea of choosing to be kinder to yourself “that” day is brilliant — if we could just commit to that day, even that moment as you say, and imagine self-kindness as stringing pearls — one after the other — we will soon feel the beauty our own care. I am choosing to try 1-2 of your loving techniques each day, I felt myself soften and calm just reading them. Thank you for this precious gift <3.
Every day at 1 pm I have an app reminder to take a few minutes for myself and to slow down. I sit or lie down depending where I am and listen to a short guided meditation app. I highly recommend it. I am able to reset to a much calmer and self-assured, true self. There are many meditation apps, I happen to like HeadSpace.
love this
Hey Sharon, thanks for this masterpiece. I am new to self-love, and this will be very handy. Happy New Year. Mercy, Kenya.
I’d be kinder to myself. I am popularly referred to as the kindness Ambassador because I preach kindness and amma pour all the energy and kindness towards myself