We don’t know about you, but 2018 for us has been an emotional whirlwind of stress and self-discovery.. which is why we’re more than ready to leave the bullsh*t behind to deeply reflect and ultimately, set an intention for a fresh start in 2019. Instead of making unrealistic and impractical New Year’s resolutions that probably wouldn’t make it past February, we’re shifting our focus to self-care for the benefit of our overall health and well-being. They may just be small steps, but they’re going to contribute to something far more rewarding in the long run!
1. Stick to a morning and night routine you thoroughly enjoy
Consider all the little things you do that make you happy. It could be the strict dedication you have to your five-step beauty ritual or taking the time to sip on your coffee at your verdant patio in the mornings, and lighting up a candle or cuddling with your puppy before a restful sleep at night. Turn these things into habits to ensure that you always begin and end the day with a positive mind-set.
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2. Commit to a no-phone period once a day
Mindlessly scrolling through your Instagram feed 45 times a day isn’t doing you good and if anything, induces a “compare and despair” attitude which makes you question your self-worth. Even if it’s just an hour a day, put your phone away and do something you enjoy. It’s refreshing and you’ll realise sooner or later that not staying updated on everyone’s lives isn’t going to kill you.
3. Refuse and don’t feel guilty for it
As women, we’re raised to be accommodating and people-pleasing to a certain degree. This typically results in us taking the time and energy to fulfil the requests of others even when you don’t feel like it simply because you don’t want to let them down. Well, guess what? It’s okay to be selfish once in a while and say no. It’s a hard lesson to learn, and one that you don’t have to feel guilty for whatsoever.
4. Stop over apologising
If “sorry” is an overused word in your vocabulary, learn to stop apologising unnecessarily as it does nothing for your credibility. Certain situations don’t warrant an apology and before you drop the word, pause and ask yourself if you actually did something wrong. Next, gradually replace “sorry” with “thank you”. Instead of saying, “Sorry for keeping you waiting,” you can say, “thank you for waiting.”
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5. Do something nice every day
Random acts of kindness can leave you feeling satisfied just as well as you make someone else’s day. We’re not talking about grand gestures here; smile at someone walking down the street, hold the door open for someone, treat your co-worker to a cup of coffee in the morning. The possibilities are endless and more importantly, it takes little to no effort on your part. It’s a win-win.
6. Learn to guard yourself on social media
A huge part about prioritising yourself is identifying your triggers. As far as social media is concerned, we’re talking about unfollowing accounts that make you feel less worthy, inadequate or the slightest bit unhappy. It works wonders for keeping your thoughts from spiralling, and you’re also guarding your mental health. Can’t unfollow a friend in fear of offending them? That’s what the mute button is for!
