You check on your friends, family, and maybe even your coworkers, but when was the last time you checked in on yourself. Oddly, it is so easy for us to neglect ourselves and throw our wellbeing to the wayside. However, things must change in order for us to achieve the goals that we set for our lives. We can no longer neglect self, we have to show up everyday as our best self. The only way to do this is to start loving ourselves again!
Self-love is about acknowledging the need to take care of our needs, not our wants, and to work towards self-betterment instead of sacrificing our needs to prioritize the happiness of others. You’ve heard the saying over and over, “You can’t pour from an empty cup”, and honestly this is a true statement. Imagine yourself a car, you have to constantly refuel the tank or else the car will not work, same exact concept. In the chaotic tapestry of life, one thread stands out as essential—self-love. This blog explores the profound impact of embracing self-love, touching on the joy found in activities, the pitfalls of neglect, and the transformative influence of positive psychology.
Embracing Activities You Love
Embarking on a journey of self-love begins with doing activities that nourish your soul. Whether it's painting, hiking, or reading, these pursuits create a haven for self-discovery and joy. Get out your journal or planner and find the time to do the things you love.
I have recently started journaling again. I forgot how good I felt after leaving it all on the page, clearing my head, and reducing overthinking. It helps me start my day with a fresh mind as well as letting go of things I can’t control. These experiences provided not just an escape but a connection to my inner self, reinforcing the idea that self-love is an ongoing journey of rediscovery.
Neglecting Self: A Barrier to Success
The road to personal fulfillment is often obstructed by self-neglect. Explore how ignoring your well-being can lead to unrealized goals and unfulfilled potential. Share insights on the importance of prioritizing self-care as a foundation for achieving success in various aspects of life.
Reflecting on a time when I neglected my well-being, I recall the toll it took on my personal and professional life. The constant hustle left me drained, and goals that once seemed achievable started slipping away. It was a wake-up call—an acknowledgment of the pivotal role self-care plays in laying the foundation for success.
Unveiling the Magic of Positive Psychology
Positive psychology serves as a guiding light in the journey towards self-love. Uncover the principles that underpin this transformative field—gratitude, resilience, and mindfulness. Illustrate how adopting these principles can reshape your mindset and contribute to a more positive and fulfilling life.
One of the most profound shifts in my life occurred when I embraced the principles of positive psychology. Gratitude became my daily ritual, resilience my armor against setbacks, and mindfulness my anchor in the chaos. These principles weren’t just theoretical; they became the tools that sculpted a more positive and fulfilling existence.
As we navigate the complexities of existence, let self-love be our compass. By immersing ourselves in activities that bring joy, recognizing the perils of neglect, and embracing the principles of positive psychology, we pave the way to a life rich in purpose and contentment. In choosing self-love, we choose a path to our best selves.
If you’re feeling like you don't have time to love yourself and check in on you consistently, schedule the time. Take an hour in the morning or afternoon for YOU! Reduce some daily tasks or chores so that you have this time available. Get out your notebook or planner and reclaim your time while taking care of you. StickWithCatie is releasing our “Self Love 3.0” release Friday, February 9th that is filled with quotes, affirmations, and even journaling prompts that will remind you to love who you are while going after who you want to be. ]]>September is national self care awareness month! It is a great reminder to take care of you before everything else. We neglect ourselves and tend to put others’ needs first. There are many variations of self care and each person has their own perception of what self care looks like for them. There are certain things you should do to improve both your mental and physical health. It is impossible to pour from an empty cup and remember self care is not selfish!
Self Care Tips:
Try a relaxing activity
Again, this looks different for everyone. It starts with scheduling “me time” for yourself. Whether you plan a hiking trip or something as simple as lighting candles and running yourself a bath, as long as it helps you reset and recharge it is a self care activity. Take some time and create a list of activities (top 12 for example) that you can incorporate in your weekly routine to keep the balance.
Set goals and priorities
Self care is a great way to cope with daily stressors that occur from trying to balance home and work life.We don’t want to wait until burnout occurs to start the practice of self care. Burnout occurs over time when you experience excessive and prolonged stress. You become overwhelmed and lose motivation and desire to do even the smallest tasks. To avoid burnout, first learn how to prioritize your tasks. Most importantly, learn to say no so that you don't take on more than you can handle. Once the day is complete, focus more on your accomplishments and less on what you were unable to do.
Positive Self Talk
Typically we are our worst critics and much harder on ourselves than we would be on anyone else. When we are struggling we should treat ourselves the way we would a friend in the same situation. The way we talk, our tone of voice, the words we choose, and the kindness expressed should be the exact same. We have to be mindful when speaking to ourselves just as we would when speaking with a friend.
Self Care Examples
Of course we all have the same 24 hours in a day but the way we use our time, energy, and money varies. Some people have mastered the art of being intentional while others struggle to stay afloat. Creating a balance between the three can make all the difference in your overall day to day life. Being intentional can help you get closer to the life you desire by completing your goals and bringing true happiness back into your life.
Being intentional means making deliberate choices to reflect what is most important to you. Becoming intentional can help you maintain a positive mindset, reach goals, experience more clarity, create healthy habits, and be more present. It can also increase your focus and commitment and bring more purpose and meaning to your lives.
How to be intentional with your time
Create a schedule and stick to it!
A busy schedule can have you juggling many tasks at once but if you strategically plan it all out you can properly execute and make the most of your time. One way to be more intentional with your time is to create a schedule. Most of us are planner lovers so this should be easy, right? However, we want to make sure we are effectively planning and not just using “fillers. This can be as simple as writing down what you need to do each day or setting aside specific times for certain tasks.
Prioritize & Eliminate distractions
If you’re looking to be more intentional with your time, start setting priorities. Figure out what your values are and what goals you want to focus on. Then it will be easier to make time for what is most important to you. On the flip side you have to consider all things that can hinder your progress. Use the do not disturb feature on your phone, limit your screen time, work while the kids sleep, etc. That way you aren’t easily distracted and you can complete your tasks.
How to be intentional with your energy
Rest & Recharge!
The continuous busy schedule can wear you down and fill you with exhaustion. We work, take care of our family, enjoy the social life, etc. but there comes a time when you have nothing else to give. At this point, you have to take some time out and rest & recharge. One way to do this is to schedule time for ourselves into our week. You decide the duration but let’s say you choose one hour. During these hour-long blocks, it's time to disconnect from technology, relax your body, and clear your mind. Make sure you are alone and away from all distractions. Say your affirmations aloud and get back into a positive mindset.
Set Boundaries!
Sometimes it is hard to say no to people and activities even when our minds and bodies want us to. This only leaves you more tired and resentful. This is why setting boundaries is important. When you intentionally have boundaries you can move in a way that is still aligned with your values and goals. It is not always easy but it is definitely worth it. You have to protect your energy and use it wisely.
How to be intentional with your money
Create a budget!
You have to take charge of your money. Or else you’ll look up with an empty wallet and no clue where your money went. Creating a budget is like having a road map that leads to financial freedom. A budget is a great way to track your income and expenses and even allow you to put money aside for a rainy day. It shows you how much money you can actually spend that month and helps to keep you from overspending. Once you create a habit out of budgeting you can start allocating funds for different purposes.
Live below your means!
Getting ahead financially is hard for many people especially now with the cost of living consistently rising while wages on the other hand are very stagnant. This is why living below your means can come in handy. In simple terms, you have to spend less than you earn. Stop compulsive shopping and using those credit cards for purchases you can’t afford. Being intentional with your money means being mindful of your spending. Before checking out ask yourself if this item is a necessity. If not, wait a few days and see if your urge fades and you’ll realize you don't need it as much and can live without it.
We wake up every morning and get our day started knowing everything we need to accomplish. We write to do lists, fill in our calendars and planners, and set reminders on our phones. Yet, when the day comes to an end we still have multiple things to get done. We spend more time than we think on social media, finding everything to do but the things we actually need to do, and in return we aren’t accomplishing our goals. Distractions are everywhere and something as simple as a phone dinging can throw your focus off. Focus is like a mental muscle, it needs to be trained to work at its best. There are numerous practices that you can add into your daily routine to get that muscle where you need it to be.
Typically when you are “busy” you have multiple tasks open, no free time, and trying to complete those 100 tasks at once. You struggle delegating. You say yes even if you don’t have the time. You're a multitasker who starts all of the projects but can never seem to finish them on time. However, when you are productive you can easily say no to a task so that you can prioritize the tasks that are important. You delegate tasks easily so you can focus on bigger tasks and you are fueled by purpose rather than perfection. We don’t want to be busy because it “looks good”, we want to be productive because it feels good to accomplish goals!
Tips and Trick to Increase Focus
You have to be intentional with the way you start your day! Your routine sets the tone for the day, helps you see what needs to be done that day, and allows you to be in full control of your schedule so that the day does not control you. Take some time in the morning (30 min to an hour) for yourself. This is not a time for you to scroll social media. Instead try meditating, journaling, reading self help books, listen to a personal growth podcast, or take some time for spiritual growth. The goal is to center yourself while developing a positive mindset and building on your focus before you start your regular daily routine. The best part is your creating the routine you want with the things you love to do!
There is nothing worse than waking up and not having direction for your day. Take some time the night before to plan the day ahead. Consider tasks that were left undone that day as well as any upcoming deadlines. That way when you wake up the next day you know exactly how your day needs to go. This helps keep you in control of your day while also keeping you on task.
Distractions can be as simple as a radio in the background, social media, or even a coworker who won’t stop talking. Distractions can also be exhaustion, anxiety, lack of motivation, etc. If you suffer from external distractions you can try putting your phone on “do not disturb” and using the focus feature so that you're not constantly interrupted. You can also put up a sign on your door or find a space that is more quiet to work. If you struggle more with internal distractions, it may be helpful to make sure you are well rested. You can also make sure you keep positive thoughts and consistently repeat your affirmations.
After a while, focusing on a task for an extended amount of time becomes harder and harder. You can;t stay focused and you need a break! Take a 10-15 minute break just as you would at work, but make sure you come back and finish the task at hand. You can also try using a timer for tasks, give yourself a certain amount of time for the task and once time is up it’s time to move on to the next task.
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Optimism is hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.
Seeing the brighter side of things can help you experience more positive events, and you may even find yourself less stressed. For example, you could be experiencing challenges today but believing that there are better opportunities tomorrow shows true optimism.
How to Practice Optimism
-Write down your positive emotions: You can simply jot down your emotions or even journal briefly. Doing this has been linked to improved mental well-being and decreased mental distress.
-Practice Gratitude: Setting aside a few minutes daily to write down or even speak of things you are grateful for helps shift your mindset to a more positive outlook.
-Become more mindful: Mindfulness requires you to be in the moment. Not worrying about the future or dwelling on the past but being present and focused on the moment. This also allows you to be more appreciative of what you already have and not focus on what you'd like or wish you'd have.
Implementing this into your daily routine can make all the difference. You have to be in control of your emotions and focus on things you CAN control. Put it in your planner or calendar continuously until it becomes a habit!
**Don’t be misled, you will still have obstacles and challenges but it will be easier to overcome when you have an optimistic outlook. Instead of focusing only on “always positive” and ignoring other emotions, make sure you still acknowledge the difficulties of the situation and even the emotions that follow.**
Let’s talk about two effective ways you can change this! I think using both systems together can make a big difference.
S.M.A.R.T Goals
S- Specific: General goals are just a dream. You must be specific so that you can stay clear and focused on the goal.
M- Measurable: The outcome of the goal must be measurable, either a number or an event.
A- Achievable: Many people don't accomplish their goals because they are so focused on the end result they don't consider what it actually takes. This is where you take your vision and break it into short term goals.
R-Realistic: I know people say nothing is impossible (and this can be true) but for the time you allow to accomplish this goal make sure it is possible.
T- Timely: There must be a specific deadline attached to your SMART goals. Whether this is 7 days, a month or 90 days.
Creating S.M.A.R.T goals provides you with direction, focus, and motivation. It clarifies what matters to you the most and provides a clear and measurable road map to success. You literally are tracking your progress from start to finish. Now let’s dive into the second system.
Now that you have more insight into goal planning it’s time to take action. Get out your notebook or planner and begin mapping out your vision. StickWithCatie has created a monthly goals kit (Each month will have a new theme) to help you stay motivated and creative! Click the link below to check it out!
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Gratitude: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. How often do you practice gratitude? In positive psychology, gratitude is associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive, have good experiences, and even improve their health. The first step to practicing gratitude is to take some time out daily or weekly to have time for reflection.
Gratitude can be expressed in many ways. It can be applied to the past, present, and future. You can reflect on your childhood or even the day before and be thankful. You can reflect on the present and show immediate gratitude instead of taking things for granted. You can be hopeful and have an optimistic attitude for the future. Gratitude helps you appreciate what you have instead of searching for the next new thing in hopes it’ll make you happier. Gratitude is a great reminder to focus on what you have versus what you lack. Expressing feelings of appreciation to others and ourselves creates positive emotions and feelings of pleasure and contentment. Don’t focus on the negative, only the positive. It will help increase mood as well as overall well-being.
"Most important, let yourself be happy. Be proud of any small achievement or success, acknowledge your happiness, and be thankful for the moment. Accepting happiness makes us grateful for all that we have and, over time, makes us stronger. Praising our efforts prepares us for the difficulties we may have to manage in the future.”
-Kristen Francis, MD
Tips to improve consistent gratitude?
Here's a 4 day challenge
Consistency is the key! You have to continuously practice gratitude to notice a change in behavior, mental health, and overall well-being. An increase in happiness can make it easier to complete daily tasks and go after goals. Learning to embrace challenges and be grateful for a shift in your life can make all the difference. It starts with your mindset. If you focus on the positive things and people in your life there will be a noticeable change.
]]>Self love can mean a lot of different things for different people. Here’s a broad definition that everyone can identify with. Self love: Being in love with every part of yourself. Taking care of your own needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others. Not settling for less than you deserve. How often do you do this? I don’t know about you but I don’t do it enough! I’m ready for this to change and if you are too, keep reading!
You deserve the same love you give to everyone else! Self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support psychological, physical, and spiritual growth. When it comes to self-love there are no sacrifices. Every step you take to improve your self-love is for you and you can’t let anyone take that from you. And let’s be clear, self-love and self-care are NOT the same thing. Self-care is all of the things we do to keep ourselves healthy and well maintained. Some examples include taking a bath, drinking enough water, and doing the things we love such as a spa day. Self care can also be a detox from certain things such as social media or what type of music you listen to. When you’re feeling down or not like yourself, ask yourself this question: “What can I do right now or in the near future to feel loved by myself?”. You can even take it a step further and journal about it. It does not have to be long or drawn out, it can be as simple as a word or a sentence. Remember to trust your instinct, because no one knows you better than you know yourself and be aware that you won’t always like what your instinct tells you to do.
Tips to improve self-love?
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Affirmations or affirming refers to the practice of positive thinking and self empowerment. It is presented in the form of positive phrases and/or statements. They are typically used to challenge and overcome negative self thoughts. It helps to think positively and to be able to correct negativity. To reap the best benefits, it would be helpful to have daily affirmations. You can say them aloud, write them down, or save them as a screensaver. The affirmations will eventually help you not only form a habit but change your thinking as well.
Ten benefits of using affirmations
How do I incorporate this into planning?
What does StickWithCatie offer to help you utilize affirmations in your everyday life?
What it means to have a positive mindset & attitude
What does this look like?