Do you take time out for yourself on a regular basis for yourself? I bet if you’re anything like me, you look after everyone else’s needs, but fail to look after your own. Self compassion not only benefits yourself, but also everyone in your world.
Choose to invest in you!
Too often I hear myself and others say “Oh, I’d love to, but I don’t have the time…” There are always commitments and tasks that simply have to be fitted in, but there is always an element of choice at some point in your day to make time for you, even if only for 10 mins. Only we can decide what to do with our time.
Lao Tzu said it beautifully: “Compassionate towards yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.”
The more we practice self-compassion, the kinder we become
First of all the easiest way to make a regular commitment to yourself is just that – make it regular. Find a time, (it need only be 10 mins if that is all you can manage), and try to stick to that time of day. It is so easy to forget to find time for you. In our busy lives, we end up just getting on with all the tasks and jobs that we line up for ourselves.
Being still
For me, I have found a fantastic way to stop and be still and I give myself 20 mins a day – although I started off with 10 mins, very soon I was able to progress to 20 mins. I have discovered something called Headspace, which is an online mindfulness meditation app, and this really does work for me.
Other people may prefer to go for a walk, especially with a dog, as walking is a great time to still your mind, and just be in the moment. Some may listen to music, read a book, sit in a quiet corner of the house, or garden. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do it.
I hope you find these tips helpful. Read more Monday Motivation blogs HERE.
Help to stay motivated – come and stay with us in our beautiful cottage apartments and make the most of our fantastic onsite training facilities, nestled on the outskirts of Dartmoor National Park.
Featured image by Nicki Eliza Schinow on Unsplash