5 Ways to Show Up For Yourself
With the current state of the world, constant societal pressure, and hectic schedules it can be hard to fully show up for yourself. Many of us are trying to keep up with life and end up putting ourselves on the back burner. I’m here to remind you that at the end of the day, your health and wellness always come first—before any person, any job, or any antiquated societal timeline. Below are five ways you can show up for yourself that will help you thrive and put YOU first.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BASIC NEEDS
Did you remember to hydrate today? Have you made time to move your body? Taking care of our basic needs should be the norm, but can easily go overlooked. Make it a habit to stay hydrated, move your body, eat well, and get enough sleep. One thing that’s helped me up my water consumption is having a couple big, refillable water bottles around—one on my desk and one in the living room. Having them already filled and within eyesight makes it easy to reach for them throughout the day. I’ve incorporated exercise into my morning routine to ensure body movement, and I use time blockers on my phone for optimal sleep with less notifications and distractions.
VALIDATE YOUR FEELINGS
Your feelings are valid. No matter if you’re feeling frustrated, angry, depressed, or bored—don’t label them as negative. You’re capable of feeling so much because you’re human, and there is beauty in that. Give yourself grace to feel tired and take a step back. Allow yourself to spend a day (or two or three!) curled under a blanket binge watching reality shows while you recuperate from life. Acknowledge your feelings and accept your feelings in the present. Fighting them only makes things harder in the long run.
LISTEN TO AND HONOR YOUR BODY’S NEEDS
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and listen to your intuition. Maybe you need to take a break and nourish yourself. Maybe you miss someone and need to either reach out to them or let out a cry. Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a break. Honor your needs, no matter how big or small, because at the end of the day this is your life and contrary to what society says, you always come first. I’m not saying to disregard your loved ones, but remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
DON’T LET FEAR DICTATE YOUR GROWTH
You are here for a reason, and although it may not always seem like it, you have a purpose. Don’t be afraid to pursue what ignites your passions! It can be scary to take the next step forward (no matter how big or small), but keep going. Maybe that next step is putting up a boundary with a loved one. Or maybe it’s finally signing up for that class you always wanted to try. You owe it to yourself to grow outside of your comfort zone. Silence that self doubt and go forth!
SPEAK KINDLY TO YOURSELF
Affirm yourself! At the end of the day, the person you’re spending the most time with is you, which automatically makes you your own best friend. How would you speak to your friends when they’re feeling down, rejected, or unworthy? We lift up our friends, so why should we not uplift ourselves the same way? You are worthy! Your voice matters! You are capable of great things and have survived all your hard days up until now. Keep going! I believe in you—you’ve got this. <3
Want more? Check out 6 Healthy Habits That Keep Me Going!
XoXo,
Azadeh