Trying to extend kindness to ourselves can show up in a lot of different ways. I don’t know about you, but in the past, I’ve often struggled with allowing myself to have small gifts or material things to help me feel better.
I’ve always been a person who tries hard to manage my money and placed so much pressure on myself to not get things that weren’t “productive” or that wouldn’t last long. It was hard to reason why spending money on things like flowers or a bath bomb or anything of that nature would be OK to do.
It was also hard for me to extend the same kindness to myself that I would gladly do for anyone else in my life, however, now that I’m older, I truly do believe that it’s OK to do nice things for yourself. There is beauty and tenderness in believing you are worth cherishing and celebrating. You don’t have to go all out or blow your entire paycheck on things – but I believe that denying yourself small things because you believe you don’t deserve that love for yourself is not the way to walk through life.
Today I hope you are kind to yourself and don’t feel guilty about it.
- go and buy your flowers
- take a nap in the middle of the day, even when your brain is demanding you “be more productive” – remind yourself that resting is part of that.
- drink water out of your favourite mug or glass so it feels a little less boring because you know you need to
- sing your favourite song out loud as if no one is watching
- call your friends that you haven’t seen in a long time
- and say no to the unnecessary things that drain you
- take the extra long soak with a bath bomb
- open the curtains and let the light sit on your skin
- put on your favourite outfit
- take a selfie, but don’t post it right away – some things are allowed to be just for you.
- go to the coffee shop just to read that book you’ve been meaning to get around to or go to the local bookstore and buy something you’ve wanted to read for a long time
- rewatch your comfort show while wrapped up in your softest blanket
- buy the scented candle that has the flowers poured into the wax
- look at yourself in the mirror and realise how remarkable you are
- stop apologising for simply being a person with needs
- sit in the quiet of the day and remind yourself that you may not have things entirely figured out, but that you are doing your best, and that is enough
