Lots of Little Ways to Love Yourself

You hear all the time about self-care, and the crazy irony of it is that OF COURSE you put it off, thinking you’ll do that when you have time…because if you struggle with loving you, well…I think we can have the perception that in order to do good self-care, we need big stretches of time, energy and maybe even money. For a great spa day, sure. But for the rest of it – and the rest of it matters – we only need to start small, and do what we can when we can.  All the pennies add up over time, and help you feel better just knowing you are doing this. Here are a few things you can begin this week.

Take Ten Minutes Twice Today.  Just Ten. Yes. See? THAT you can do we know.  Take ten minutes to just rest, breathe deeply. Or take this time to regroup and see how the day is going, and how that makes sense.  Notice how you are feeling, and why that is valid too.  Maybe just a short walk or a few yoga stretches.  Doodle. Journal. Text a friend you miss.

Stop and Tidy up.  Just a few things put away can make you feel better and more glued together. You only need a few moments to do this, and you can find “more moments” throughout the day or even the week to do this.  As you do, it feels like you are accomplishing because you are. It feels way less overwhelming and manageable.  Finally, you are actually creating healthier habits as you go. Cool, huh?

Confront One Difficult Thing.  Just one this week so it’s not too much.  Make a plan to just take the first step, such as drafting the email you need to send.  To call the bank and have that chat.  To set a limit with a loved on who’s been “boundaryless” lately.  To say no kindly and calmly to the request from work to work more hours. This creates strength over time to continue to embrace and face.

Create a Night of Nurture. Turn the phone to silent.  Turn off the TV. No chores, no taking care of anyone for at least an hour.  Do what feels like you need it right now…a bath, a good nap or even a good cry.  A pedicure. Or mutual massages for you and your mate.  Candles, soft music and maybe some meditation. You will be surprised at how good it will feel just to set aside the TIME for you do to this…to show yourself you DO care about you.  To take a much-needed break.

Do Something Healthier.  Take a hard look at your nutrition, exercise and rest habits and decide what you want to tweak a bit and make better.  Just trading out soda or juice for seltzer will benefit you tremendously. More protein than carbs a few days week will help shred the pounds and the fatigue. Taking a walk, getting twenty minutes of cardio a few days a week or even some home yoga.  Start small and build as you go.  No perfect.  Just healthy ER, ok? That you can do.  And that will feel better.

Do just even one of these things for a few weeks and see how it feels, and I dare you not to feel more motivated and up for MORE.  More ways to love yourself.  To nurture and care for yourself.  To follow through FINALLY on the unfinished things that are secretly draining you until you face them.

You are building self-trust with self-love.  See where it takes you.