With the pandemic lasting us for more than we expected and the news we hear adding to our worries, it might not be a surprise for most of us to feel the days becoming more uncertain by the minute.
Because of it, we're feeling a little more exhausted— worried and anxious despite some of us enjoying the privilege of work from home arrangements. As a collective, we feel like there are cards stacked against us and feel hopeless even when we've tried to help out as much as we can to improve the state of our communities. For most of us, we've started to feel the languishing grow from more than a fleeting feeling on a down-week to something we carry for months on end.
Acknowledging and identifying with these feelings is one thing, and recognizing the external factors as something we can't control is the next. What do we do then? Our key answer these days: trying to find little ways to stay kind to ourselves. Not only do these 'little things' serve as acts of self-love, but these also remind us how important it is to regularly these actions as we grasp for certainty these days. Here's how you can start:
In the morning: Starting off— your way
Mornings can look different for everyone, and we all have our own routines that help us gain some control over our lives. One way we can stay kind to ourselves is holding on to these as much we can (and accepting that some days call for sleeping in & not being too hard on ourselves despite it.)
Another thing we can do is starting off our days with affirmations. This act not only serves as a practice for preparing ourselves, but it also reminds us of the importance of verbalizing kindness even to ourselves. Once we set this as a regular habit, we can see it reflecting on how we think, treat, and set standards for ourselves. And others.
For the afternoons: Mindful, whole breaks
Image from Minimalist Baker
Lunch breaks could be our markers for the start of the afternoon, and we must take them fully and mindfully. While we can't always indulge in preparing a healthy meal, slowly incorporating items of food that nourish and satisfy us is one act of kindness we can start doing gradually. While having your meals, remind yourself that you're providing for your body with no distractions— each bite as fuel to carry on.
Afternoons can also feel slow and dragging, especially when balancing projects and deadlines. In cases like these, try to insert little pockets of break times to pause and refresh. More often than not, moments when we need a break are mere signals that we physically and mentally need a break, and the push we need is not to keep going but listen and heed to these signals. Remember, even when you're in a more comfortable work arrangement doesn't mean you have to overcompensate by sacrificing the breaks you would take in an office.
Your version of a nightcap: Debrief and reflect
Whether it be a cup of chamomile tea or an unwinding session through creative releases through our hobbies, stepping away from the day to have time for yourself gives us the structure we need and the rest essential for taking on the next day.
While doing our night routines and unwinding, try to reflect on how your day went. Check in on yourself. And don't limit yourself with only the tasks you've done, but what you liked about the day. What steps do you enjoy most, and which ones could be improved to make your day better? Which habits do you feel no longer align with your goals, and what small steps can you start doing soon to create ones that do? Try to take it in and take mental (or digital) notes. Put your mind at rest and brace for more kindness the next day.
While these steps feel like they won't make any of what's happening around us become better, try to reframe and think of it this way. The energy we put out to the world to start a change and create progress always begins within ourselves. Let that version be one that's kind to ourselves first. Slowly, that will radiate to Women in Progress alike, and we can only imagine the kind of impact that would make.
Thumbnail from Clo and Momooze
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