“Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean me first, it means me too.”
– L.R. Knost
Before you can start spreading kindness to others, make sure you’re being kind to yourself. It’s difficult to give something to others that you aren’t giving yourself. We have to care for ourselves before caring for others otherwise our capacity for others will be limited. For example, on a plane when you are instructed to put on your oxygen mask before assisting others, the same goes for kindness. You must equip yourself with kindness so you are able to give others your best.
Spreading kindness to yourself looks different for everyone. For some, it could be treating yourself to a cup of fancy coffee, taking a bubble bath, getting your nails done, watching tv, sleeping in, taking a day off from going to the gym, or something else that makes you happy. It could also look like intangible things such as combating negative thoughts, understanding what makes you feel less than and learning how to fight it, surrounding yourself with people that support and encourage you, and creating boundaries that are healthy for you.
I often struggle with taking time for myself and learning how to put these ideas into practice, so it’s pretty ironic that I am writing about it. I have been depleted far too many times and have learned the hard way, I must take it day by day and remember to start with myself. When we are depleted it is almost impossible for us to give, let alone give fully to something/someone else. We can’t give our full selves, our full listening ear, our full care or attention to anything when we are not caring and kind to ourselves. So, how can kindness start with you in caring for yourself?
I would love to know your thoughts on this and whether you also feel like this is a reality for you. Place your comments below and let me know! Also, if there are tips you have for being kind to yourself, feel free to share your ideas as well!
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This is such an important reminder! Especially from a faith perspective when so much of the mission of people of faith is to be servants to and with others, it’s crucial to remember that we must serve ourselves, too! One of my favorite strategies is journaling – I do it all the time. It helps me breathe and reflect on the good AND the bad 🙂 I always keep a journal close by.
Love this and YOU!!! I am always up for treating myself to a nice lil cuppa joe 🙂