It’s Time to Show Yourself More Compassion
It’s easy to put yourself at the bottom of your priority list. There are so many things going on in our lives, most days we are just trying to make it through. But self-care is one of the most important things you can do. When you take care of yourself, you can more easily take care of the people around you. Prioritizing your health and happiness will make a positive impact on every facet of your life, so here are some easy ways to show yourself a little more compassion.
Celebrate your accomplishments
Whether you got a big promotion at work or just made it out the door to get your kids to school on time, celebrate your wins, big and small. When you give yourself a pat on the back, you are giving yourself permission to be proud. That positive feeling will carry on through the day and give you the fire you need to strive for more.
Talk to yourself like you would a friend
Would you tell a friend they look fat? Or that no one would ever love them? So why would do you talk to yourself that way? Instead of using negative self-talk, change the narrative to something more positive. Try something like, “I will make a point to give my body nutritious food every day” or “I really like the way my eyes look when I wear blue”. When you start speaking kindly to yourself, it will be easier for you to see yourself as the beautiful person that you are.
Reach out to loved ones
If you are thinking about someone, say something. It’s so nice to get a call or text out of the blue from someone just saying hi, so if a friend you haven’t talked to in a while pops into your head, shoot them a quick note to say you are thinking of them. You never know what that friend is going through, maybe they needed to know they were in someone’s thoughts. Bonus, it will make you feel great that you made someone’s day just by saying hi, and you get to reap the rewards of reconnecting.
Forgive yourself
If you have been holding onto a past grievance, it’s time to let it go. Did you embarrass yourself in front of some VIPs or miss an important work deadline? None of it matters. You can’t go back and change the past, but you can learn from your mistakes. Forgive your error and move forward with the knowledge you gained from your past missteps.
Disconnect from Social Media
No, not forever, but give yourself a 24 hour break every once in a while. Endlessly scrolling through social media sites isn’t just a time suck, seeing everyone else’s seemingly perfect lives can make us feel bad about our own. One thing to remember is no one’s life is perfect, no matter how much they try to portray it online. Everyone has struggles and challenges, so know you aren’t alone and take what you are seeing online with a grain of salt.
Question: What do you struggle with when trying to show yourself compassion?
