Self-kindness isn't always easy. When life throws curveballs, it’s tempting to let our self-care routines slide. It’s natural—we all do it. HOWEVER, that's when we need it the most.
What does self-kindness look like to you? It will be different for each of is. It might show up as:
😖 Overworking and burning the midnight oil
😖 Getting lost in endless doom-scrolling
😖 Reaching for that extra glass of wine
😖 Devouring an entire bar of Tony's Chocolonely (the kindest chocolate—but let’s be real, a 180g bar in one sitting does us no favours!)
In the moment, these habits can feel comforting. There’s even a weird sense of satisfaction in sabotaging ourselves sometimes. But the relief is short-lived, and it’s often followed by regret. Whether it hits immediately, hours later, or days afterward, that feeling of being a failure creeps back in, keeping us stuck on the vicious self-sabotage hamster wheel. 😭
Why Self-Kindness Is Most Crucial When It's Hardest
It’s during these tough moments when self-kindness matters most. It's easy to be kind to yourself when everything’s going well. But when the going gets rough, that’s when it becomes a real necessity—not just a 'nice-to-have.'
If you’ve been following my recent posts, you may have tried some of the micro moments of self-care I suggested. Maybe you’ve had a spontaneous dance party, done a quick cartwheel, or simply stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. If so, keep going! These small, external actions can have a big impact.
But let’s be honest—true self-kindness runs deeper than those quick moments. It’s about the inner work, too.
How's Your Inner Critic Doing?
You know that inner voice—sometimes it's a gremlin, a chimp, or just plain self-doubt. Is it taking over your thoughts? You might recognize some of these phrases:
👺 "I'm not doing enough."
👺 "I should be handling this better."
👺 "Everyone else is better than me. I'll be found out."
These thoughts can be sneaky and persistent. But letting them run the show only perpetuates feelings of inadequacy. It’s crucial to be mindful of these internal narratives and work towards shifting them to more compassionate, constructive thoughts.
Building Self-Kindness Into Everyday Life
Self-kindness doesn’t just happen on its own—it’s something we have to intentionally build into our routines and mindset. It means catching yourself in those moments of self-doubt and choosing a kinder thought. It means recognising when you're falling into the patterns that don’t serve you and making a conscious decision to change course.
If you’d like a free, simple, yet effective exercise to start building more self-kindness into your life, let me know and I'll send you something. You deserve a little extra support in your journey toward self-compassion.
Keep Going—You’ve Got This
As a reminder, yes, that's a sweaty picture of me after finishing the 2022 London Marathon. It wasn’t easy, but I kept going. And you can, too.
Self-kindness is an ongoing practice, and even when it feels challenging, it’s always worth it. 🏃♀️💪
Keep going, be kind to yourself, and remember—when it’s hardest is when it matters most.
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