cff FIVE WAYS TO BE KINDER TO YOURSELF | Simple and Serene Living

FIVE WAYS TO BE KINDER TO YOURSELF

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Why does it seem so difficult at times to treat ourselves with the same kindness respect, and compassion that we show to others. How can we be truly kind to others if we are not genuinely kind to ourselves? Also, our treatment of ourselves is mirrored in the treatment that we show to other people, and the way that we treat ourselves tells others how we want to be treated. 

kindness self

How do we break the habit of not treating ourselves with kindness?

1) Decide that you will begin to start focusing on the positives instead of the negatives. Reflect each day on what you did right instead of the mistakes that you made. (Everyone makes mistakes. It is how we learn.)

2) Take time to do something that makes you happy. Instead of telling yourself that you are too busy or that it will cost too much, allow yourself to do something special. It is important to give yourself a treat.

3) Take care of both your physical and emotional well-being. Eat a healthy diet, go out for a walk or a bike ride, and take time to sit quietly. Yoga and meditation are both activities that will help to calm you.



4) Be open to change. What you wanted in the past for your life may not be what is best for you now. Explore new possibilities and know that it may not only be okay to make a change, but it may also be the best thing that ever happened to you. Changes do not have to be big. Even small changes can make a difference in your well-being.

5) Allow yourself to love and to be loved. Open your heart to the people around you, and open your heart to loving yourself. Even sharing a smile is something that not only makes others feel better but can be a loving thing you can do for yourself. 



Learning to treat yourself with kindness is like any other habit. It will take some work, but it will definitely be worth the effort.

Until we meet again join me on PinterestInstagramLTK, and Etsy.



Comments

  1. a good and important post, laura. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Changes all around me and I yearn for my comfort zone.
    But the winter storm has just arrived, the house is cosy. Such a grateful privilege to look out at grim weather from inside!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Being in a cozy house as storms surround us is always wonderful, Diana.

      Delete
  3. I probably need to work on #1 and #4.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Focusing on the negatives is a habit that many of us have, Kelly but it is one tat can definitely be changed with a little effort :)

      Delete
  4. Very good advice Laura. It's hard sometimes to be as kind to ourselves as we try to be to others...a reminder is a good thing.

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think we live much of our lives being not kind to ourselves. It is a learned behavior and it is a behavior that we need to change.

      Delete
  5. Laura, what a wonderful post! Sometimes we do need to be reminded and you did it so well! Thank you! Have a great weekend!
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great thoughts, Laura. I really like #1. It's easy to get caught up in the negatives sometimes...

    ReplyDelete
  7. I chalk it all up to religious guilt from my childhood :) But it's stuck in there no matter what :) Posts like yours eradicate it for awhile then it's BACK :) I think that women go through this more than men, though...some sort of programming...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such an important message...again we are on the same wavelength....I am on a journey to be kinder to myself.

    ReplyDelete

All verbal donations to my comment box are gratefully accepted. It is free for you and priceless to me. Please note that comments with links will be deleted.