Last year was a trying year for me. I was having a lot of trouble with my mental health and was depressed and anxious. I wondered, as I looked around at other beautiful, successful ladies, how they did it. How do they maintain such a positive attitude? I was curious, and I wanted to share my findings with other women who, like me, desired to be happy and healthy. I decided to use my creative energy to put up a resource that anyone could use. What are your self-care mantras and practises, I asked women I knew? At the same time, what they told me was both revolutionary and self-evident.
1. Stop putting yourself in comparison to others.
We’ve been socialised to be competitive, so it’s natural to compare ourselves to others. However, it can be hazardous. There’s no use in comparing yourself to anyone else because you’re the only one on the earth. Concentrate instead on yourself and your journey. Simply shifting your energy will help you feel liberated.
2. Don’t be concerned with what other people think.
Similarly, don’t be concerned with what society thinks or expects of you. Because you can’t please everyone, this is a waste of effort that will only slow you down on your path to being the best version of yourself.
3. Give yourself permission to make mistakes.
“No one is flawless, and everyone makes errors,” we’re told from a young age. However, as you get older, you’ll feel more pressure to never fail. Give yourself a break! Make errors so you can learn from them and improve. Accept your past. You’re always changing and evolving from who you were to who you are now and will be in the future. So, ignore the voice in your head that tells you that you have to be perfect. Make a lot of mistakes! The knowledge you’ll receive will be invaluable.
4. Keep in mind that your worth isn’t determined by how you look.
This is essential! So many things in the world are attempting to divert your attention away from this life-changing reality. Even your own internalised sexism might reinforce your feelings of inadequacy. You are valuable because of who you are, not because of what you look like. So, put on what makes you happy. Wear what makes you feel confident, comfortable, and joyful, whether it’s a lot or a little.
5. Don’t be scared to let go of people that are poisonous to you.
Not everyone is accountable for the energy they emit into the planet. If someone is bringing toxicity into your life and refusing to accept responsibility for it, you may need to distance yourself from them. Don’t be hesitant to try it. Even if it’s difficult, it’s liberating and important. Remember to safeguard your vitality. Removing oneself from situations or the company of individuals that drain you is neither disrespectful nor incorrect.
6. Work through your fears
Fear, like erring, is a natural and human emotion. Understand your worries rather than dismissing them. This beneficial workout can significantly improve your mental health. Examining and examining your worries might help you achieve insight and uncover issues that have been giving you distress. As a result, some — if not all — of your worry may be relieved.
7. Have faith in your ability to make excellent decisions for yourself.
We often doubt ourselves and our capacity to do what is right, even when we know what is best in our hearts. Keep in mind that your emotions are valid. You aren’t losing your grip on reality. You know yourself better than anyone else, so use that knowledge to your advantage.
8. Seize every opportunity that comes your way, or create your own.
That next significant step in your life will never be perfect in terms of time. Even if the setup isn’t ideal, you shouldn’t let that stop you from achieving your objectives and dreams. Instead, take advantage of the opportunity because it may never come again.
9. Prioritize yourself.
You shouldn’t feel awful about it. Women, in particular, might develop a habit of putting others first. Although there is a time and place for it, it should not become a habit that compromises your mental or emotional health. Make time to relax and unwind. You can put yourself under a lot of stress if you don’t decompress and recharge. Find what helps you decompress and devote time to it, whether it’s spending the day in bed or outside in nature.
10. Feel as much pain and joy as you can.
Allow yourself to truly experience everything. Lean into your suffering, savour your joy, and don’t limit your emotions. Pain and joy, like fear, are emotions that can help you better understand yourself and recognise that you are not your sensations.
11. Be audacious in public.
Make it a habit to express yourself. Boldness is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. Take a seat at the table without waiting for permission. Participate in the discussion. Please share your ideas. Take action and remember that your voice is as valuable as anyone else’s.
12. Appreciate the beauty in the ordinary.
Every day, try to notice at least one wonderful, tiny item around you. Make a mental note of it and express gratitude for it. Gratitude not only provides you perspective, but it’s also necessary for you to find happiness.
13. Be gentle with yourself.
Don’t add your voice to the chorus of angry remarks and criticism. Don’t berate yourself, and don’t call yourself names. You should be proud of yourself. You’ve gone a long way and changed a lot. Remember to celebrate yourself on a regular basis, not only on your birthday!
Consider how far you’ve come and how you’ve survived, even if you don’t feel very powerful. You’re alive and powerful beyond your comprehension right now. Also, be kind to yourself. Self-love isn’t something that happens overnight. However, it will eventually find its way into your heart. Yes, you will suffer, but you will look back on these times as stepping stones on your path to becoming the finest version of yourself.
