If you’re a giver like me, you might find yourself feeling stretched a little thin sometimes.
It’s perfectly normal to want to help everyone. Obviously, it’s okay to have a giving nature. The world needs more people like that!
Unfortunately for many people, they just don’t know when to say “no.”
I often tell people that you cannot pour from an empty cup — in other words, you can’t continue to take care of everyone else unless you also take care of yourself.
And sometimes, taking care of yourself is more important than you realize.
I’m sure you’ve heard plenty of self-care ideas. You’ve been bombarded with “positive mental attitude” quotes on social media. The radio is filled with pop princesses belting self-love anthems.
However, I’m a firm believer that we should be doing little things for ourselves every day. It’s the easy, simple little things that make a huge difference in our daily lives — and they can “fill your cup,” so to speak.
It doesn’t matter if you’re into comedy specials on Netflix or cat memes on the internet, try laughing out loud at whatever tickles your funny bone. You’d be surprised just how much an actual laugh can do for you.
Laughter releases feel-good endorphins, reduces anxiety, and helps you release tension. Plus, it’s like a tiny little workout, contracting those ab muscles.
I’m not telling you to sweat it out for hours on end at the gym, but you should do a little something healthy for yourself each day. It could be a short walk around the neighborhood, a tiny solo yoga session to get your day started, or even just putting a lemon in your water.
We have a tendency to give freely to our friends and family, while simultaneously editing what we give ourselves. Whether it’s because we don’t think we deserve things or we’ll be judged for it, we make excuses or hold ourselves back.
Look, you do deserve it. And it’s okay to get what you want. So, start being honest with yourself and what you want, because it’s the first step to actually getting it.
Speaking of getting what you want, stop feeling guilty for “you time.” You deserve a little solitude when you need it, and you don’t need to justify it.
And I know that in today’s world, we constantly feel the need to be doing something. But sometimes, even the most successful people need to do nothing for a little while. Give your brain a much-needed break from all the distractions and obligations.
We all screw up. Everyone on the planet has made mistakes. But hey, do yourself a favor and let go of any guilt, disappointment, or regret that you might be feeling. It’s time to stop being your own worst critic and give yourself a little forgiveness.
On that same token, you also need to thank yourself. In fact, do it each and every day. Acknowledge your progress, no matter how big or small, and remind yourself of just how awesome you actually are. Gratitude for yourself is one of the biggest gifts you can give to yourself!