Three Simple Ways to be Kind to Yourself

We learned yesterday that being kind to yourself can be hard. It’s not something many of us grow up learning to do. We’re often so busy looking out for others that we forget our own needs. However, as you now know, self-kindness matters, and it’s worth the investment. Today, I’d like to share with you just a few simple ways to be kind to yourself. These might help you to start a practice of showing yourself grace.

1. Invest in Yourself

The first thing I’d recommend is to invest in yourself. This can be an investment of various types of resources. You may think of money when you hear the term “investing,” but you don’t have to spend a dime in order to value yourself. Time is a resource many of us don’t give ourselves. Schedule a few hours in your calendar each week to do something special just for you. You could also invest energy and effort into yourself by doing something like taking a few extra minutes each morning to meditate or spending extra time to do your makeup. Whatever makes you feel good. If you have money to spend, consider splurging on yourself in some way. Buy yourself that beautiful outfit you’ve wanted or give yourself permission to join the gym.

2. Compliment Yourself

We’re not always very nice to ourselves. It’s often easier to see the negative things about us than to revel in the positive. Making an effort to change that is an important step toward self-kindness. When you catch yourself silently saying something mean about yourself, stop and re-frame that message. Turn it around in a way that is more positive, or at least gentler and kinder. Ask yourself if you’d ever say those words to a friend, then commit to not repeating them to yourself. Another good way to show yourself some grace is to make a list of your positive qualities. This simple exercise can be quite powerful.

3. Take One Small Step

Sometimes we get stuck in a rut. During these times, we tend to practice poor habits and think negative thoughts. It can be difficult to get past such a pattern. One of the easiest ways to move forward is to just do one small thing toward improving your situation. Research the available classes at the community center and choose some options you might enjoy that fit your budget and schedule. Consider your health goals and write down some small changes you can make to move you toward them. Investing in your self-improvement is motivational and empowering.

These are just three easy ways you can be kind to yourself. They can provide you the jumpstart you need to get going on this journey. You’ll soon see the difference that showering yourself with positivity can have on your mindset and your mood.

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