Many of us are hard on ourselves. We push our minds and bodies to the limit and then blame ourselves ruthlessly when they break. In many cases, we are our own worst critics.
That’s why it is so important that we practice the art of being kind to ourselves. Our minds and bodies should be working for us, not against us. But all too often, it is the other way around. The biggest impediment to a wonderful life is ourselves.
In this post, we take a look at some of the beautiful ways that you can be kinder to yourself and, hopefully, enjoy your life more.
Forgive Yourself
Nobody is perfect. Everybody makes mistakes in life. So being able to forgive yourself is essential. Try to let go of things you did wrong in the past. Don’t attack yourself if you fail to stand up to somebody. And let go of missed opportunities – there will always be more.
Take Care Of Your Body
Our bodies are robust machines, but they are not indestructible. Over time, life takes its toll on them. Some people, though, ignore this completely and pretend that their bodies can keep going forever.
Bad move!
Take care of your body by eating right, getting enough sleep and going for therapeutic massage. This combination will help to reduce wear and tear, eliminate muscle knots and health conditions, and generally leave you feeling able to take on the world.
Treat Yourself From Time To Time
Many people feel guilty about treating themselves to nice experiences. They have a gnawing feeling that they don’t deserve them. They feel guilty.
The trick here is to indulge yourself without necessarily having to earn it. You don’t have to wait for other people to give you something you want as a gift. You can just go out and get it yourself.
Naturally, always be careful of your finances. But don’t live like Scrooge for your entire life, trying to save every penny that comes your way. That’s no way to live your life.
Recognize Your Talents
If you have a habit of being hard on yourself, you’re often quick to praise others, but slow to give yourself credit. If you do something well, acknowledge it. Take time to recognize your achievements and use them to build an accurate picture of your competency. More often than not, you are actually far more talented than you have been led to believe – especially if you listen to your inner critic more than other voices around you.
Cultivate An Inner Advocate
Most people’s inner critic is out of control. It is so damning of them. That’s why you also need an inner advocate. This is a part of your mind that is always on your side and standing up for you. It defends you whenever your inner critic or other people try to put you down. It jumps into situations and makes arguments on your behalf.
Developing your inner advocate requires time and practice. However, once you have it, it can be your greatest asset.
