Say, are you kind to yourself? Lately, I have been anything but. I’m running on fumes, whatever it is that really means. I guess you could say I’m living on coffee, coke and baby laughs these days. My sleep is little and my thoughts are too many. Well, today, I’ve been trying to organize a few thoughts and this is what I’ve come up with. I need to be kind to myself so I can be kind to others. Makes sense, yes? I went ahead and made a list of some ways I need to be kind to myself. I’m keeping it simple folks. And guess what, if I fail at some or most on any given day or week than I’m not making a deal of it because I’m going to be kind to myself. The truth is, I’m hard on myself (hello, perfectionist types). And the same principle applies here. I’ve come to find out that since I am hard on myself, I can sometimes be hard on others. But the truth is, I want to be kind and graceful towards others (and I want them to be kind and graceful towards me). So, I’m going to start with myself.
And here is how :
And here is a bit of a breakdown for me (still keeping it simple) :
01. Feed Your Soul daily : for me that is reading, journaling, praying, meditating
02. LOL and then reapeat : i don’t laugh enough. i want to find something to laugh out loud about every. single. day. laughter is medicine, after all.
03. Be Mindful of . . . : whatever it is you need to be mindful about. for me its food. Eat foods that nourish. portion control. sometimes foods + always foods.
04. Make something —> anything : bake, write, craft. even writing out this list and quote on paper felt good to do.
05. Pamper yourself in practical ways : wash my face at night. go to bed on time. take a bath. go to a movie. whatever little luxury is necessary.
06. Move your body everyday : exercise, walk, breathe deep – something even if it is small daily.
07. Love without conditions : love and expect nothing in return.
08. Listing to your thoughts and create new ones: find quiet time to listen to your thoughts + sort through them. then dream something up…anything.
What about you? Are you kind to yourself? Are you hard on yourself? I encourage you to make your own kind list or feel free to adopt mine and personalize it to your life. If you do, I’d love for you to share it (feel free to leave a link in the comments section of this post).
Be kind to yourself so you can be kind to others! xo . t
molly ruth
Commented on October 3rd, 2012 at 9:15am
this is such a great post! i feel that a happy mom is a happy family. i realized this last winter and started taking better care of myself (yoga, hour long exercise walks, going to artsy movies by myself, used book stores for an hour). i come home happier and then my attitude directly transcends to my kiddies and husband. the house isn’t as clean as it used to be, but i feel more centered and ready to take on the day.
love your blog and your writing is so honest and beautiful!
Trina
Commented on October 4th, 2012 at 8:13am
@molly ruth, thank you so much, molly! i think you are so right about attitudes transcending. i’m working on that in my home :) and letting the house go a bit in trade for a happier everyone. here is to yoga, walks, movies and bookstores! xo . trina
Lauren Ashley
Commented on October 3rd, 2012 at 9:55am
Thank you so much for sharing this, I try to incorporate this principle into my everyday. I’m not a mom yet, but I hope that I am able to continue to practice this once we do start a family. This is a lovely reminder. xo!
Ashlyn@Pinecone
Commented on October 3rd, 2012 at 11:37am
It is hard for sure. I have been living on the coke too- not getting much sleep etc. But, the hubby and I have been talking about trying to do more (especially in the winter (when you really drag along in the dark) for ourselves and as a couple. We have got 3 teenagers – and I really need to get away from them sometimes and not be constantly dealing with their issues/need for rides/problems with each other blah blah blah!
I like your list and I love the reminder!
xo
Trina
Commented on October 4th, 2012 at 8:30am
@Ashlyn@Pinecone,Thank you! I can only imagine the teenager thing. I’m sure that brings with it a different kind of tired :) I think it is a great idea to be able to spend more alone time with your hubby.
xo . trina
April Louise
Commented on October 4th, 2012 at 6:22am
What a lovely post, really inspiring and great rules to live by.
Trina
Commented on October 4th, 2012 at 8:31am
@April Louise, thank you! xo . trina
amyluna
Commented on October 4th, 2012 at 11:48am
this is a great list!
Jess
Commented on October 4th, 2012 at 6:17pm
Great post. I think this is a common struggle we all go through, but don’t often talk about-or at least not enough. It’s always a nice reminder to see someone else taking the time to care for themselves. Thanks for sharing.
jules @ The Diversion Project
Commented on October 6th, 2012 at 1:50am
i really needed to read that darl, thank you! hope things are brill with you xxx
Trina
Commented on October 7th, 2012 at 11:56pm
it’s good to know others can relate! hope you are well too!! BIG XO!
Gabrilea
Commented on October 12th, 2012 at 3:14am
Great post… feed your soul- I guess my soul at this moment is starving … and not getting much… :) the hardest thing is to love yourself when days are not very kind to you :) I am trying to be positive as I can, but I guess I am more positive to others than to myself, and this is the problem.
I love blogging ( can’t say I am doing good, got only two folowers in one year, but this is how I cope with everything it goes around me) and read blog’s – this is my food for good mood, laugh, inspiration and ect…
Definitely, very good article. I know I think about how I can love myself a lot, but it easier to read it than just to think.
Thank you, Gabrilea.
Trina
Commented on October 14th, 2012 at 11:14am
Thank you for your honesty, Gabrilea. It is so easy to be hard on yourself….I understand this but I’m finding that no good can come of it…it only makes for much disappointment and a not very fun person to be around. I think it is great that you are blogging as an outlet. I do the same. It’s my place to be me, be creative and have a little escape. Don’t worry about how many readers you have….just do your creative best and people will find you! xo . trina
belinda
Commented on October 13th, 2012 at 7:23am
love this post – they’re all great + essential things for each day xx
Trina
Commented on October 14th, 2012 at 11:08am
Thanks, friend! xo . t