Thinking back on your life, how often have you had to do things for the people around you?
How about for yourself?
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to focus on caring and being there for other people while neglecting the most important person in your life: yourself.
Being kind to yourself, also known as self-compassion, is an essential aspect of maintaining mental and emotional well-being.
It allows you to be kind to others without harboring resentment and becoming exhausted from giving everything. It involves treating yourself with the same kindness, concern, and understanding that you would offer to a good friend.
Are you ready to take better care of yourself? Here are some ways to start showing yourself practicing self-kindness right now!
12 Ways to Practice Self-Kindness
Self-Care Rituals
Engage in self-kindness activities that nurture your body and mind, such as:
- taking a warm bath
- getting a massage
- spending time in nature
Self-care differs from person to person, and while you can get inspiration from others, don’t do something just because it is trendy or skip on the things you enjoy simply because others don’t see them as ‘cool’.
If spending the day in nature makes you feel good, go for it even when everyone is saying the new café in town is the spot to be.
Mindfulness and Meditation
Practice mindfulness or meditation to center yourself and reduce stress.
Stop and appreciate the world around you. Incorporate mindfulness exercises into your day-to-day life. This can help you stay present and reduce stress.
Healthy Lifestyle
I can not emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle enough.
Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and ensure you get enough sleep. These basics are crucial for overall well-being.
We are surrounded by helpful technology that can be of great assistance when it comes to creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle; so use it! Most phones now track our sleep schedule and activity levels, so take look at those statistics and aim to get better every week.
Positive Self-Talk
Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
Always be kind to yourself and acknowledge how far you have come. Most of us are good at uplifting our friends and drowning their negative thoughts in our positivity, but that superpower vanishes when it comes to us. Encourage yourself as you would a friend.
Set Boundaries
Learn to say ‘no’ without justifying your choice.
Create boundaries to protect your time and energy.
Does this sound familiar?
So many times you’ve lifted your head only to realize that you’re surrounded by takers who seem to have nothing to give back. You’ve been there for people who would not be bothered to be there for you in a million years.
Sometimes, you might have to cut some people out of your life, which is okay. This can be challenging at first, especially if you are a people pleaser, but remember to be kind to yourself and take it one day at a time.
Pursue Your Hobbies
Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfilment.
Whether it’s painting, playing music, gardening, or reading, do it! Hobbies give you time and space to have a good time with others effortlessly. In some cases, this can be a good way to meet new people and make new friends.
Journal
Write down your thoughts and feelings to process your emotions and reflect on your experiences.
This can provide clarity and a sense of release. Some phones have a journal feature, and you can set them up so that you get a reminder to get your journaling done at the end of the day. I have automated my phone to remind me to journal the moment it connects to my home wifi.
Gratitude Practice
Keep a gratitude journal to regularly acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of your life.
When you’re grateful and appreciative of the small things, big things come your way. Also, as humans, we like it when people acknowledge and are grateful for our efforts; this makes us want to do more for them.
“A grateful mind is a great mind which eventually attracts to itself great things.” – Plato
Seek Support
Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a therapist when you need support or someone to talk to.
Talking to someone lightens the load and allows us to gain different perspectives on issues. Sometimes, we don’t realize that the people around us have successfully gone through the issues we are dealing with right now.
Learn New Skills
Challenge yourself by learning something new!
Gather the courage to get out of your comfort zone and try things you’ve always wanted to do.
I recently started learning roller skating, and while I am nowhere near being good or looking cool when I do it, I enjoy it. I have managed to meet new people, and the whole experience of learning something new has been uplifting.
This can boost your confidence and provide a sense of accomplishment. The next skill I need to try now is baking. Wish me luck!
Forgive Yourself:
Let go of past mistakes and forgive yourself.
Understand that making mistakes is a part of being human and the mistakes we make lead towards the success we desire.
Look at your past mistakes as learning opportunities, not points of weakness. Forgive yourself for the decisions you made when you were younger or in different circumstances.
Declutter
Create a peaceful environment by decluttering your space.
A tidy space can lead to a more organized and calm mind.
Get rid of clothes you no longer wear and items you no longer use. There are several online platforms where you can give away items that can be helpful to someone else.
Don’t be like my sister, who is holding on to clothes that no longer fit because she hopes to wear them once she loses weight. (She is not doing anything to lose weight.)
Self-Kindness Matters!
We all hear voices telling us we are not good enough, but that is not true.
We are all great in our own ways and everyone has something to offer. Every day is an opportunity to be kind to yourself and treat yourself with the same compassion and affection you treat others.
We say it all the time here – you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Taking care of yourself will allow you to care for the people you love. Enjoy some time alone, engaging in self-care and doing the things you life. Show your body some love by staying active and taking care of your physical health.
You don’t have to do much; even regular short walks can make a difference.
“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” —John Steinbeck
What’s first on your self-kindness journey?
Photo by Ron Lach
