Internal Monologue Self-Care

I want to share a secret. Something that far too many advice columns forget to mention when it comes to self-care. The truth is, you don’t need hours to take care of yourself. Small quick changes can have a big impact. That’s important because it’s the busiest people who need self-care the most and the last thing you have time for is to feel guilty for having yet another thing on your to-do list you can’t seem to get to. 

Most of the time when we think of self-care we think of activities. Catching a yoga class, walking through a park, or reading a great book. All of these are fantastic but they are not the only ways we can take care of ourselves. Making a change to your internal monologue, focusing on the positives in your day, or genuinely accepting a compliment from someone else takes only seconds but can go a long way to feeling better. 

When it comes to self-care quick and often is better than long and infrequent. Can’t make it to that Zoomba class? Take three minutes in the morning and dance to your favourite song. Longing for a day at the Spa? Treat yourself to a fancier body wash or light your favourite candle for a few minutes before bed.

So what are you waiting for? Try one of these today. You deserve it! 

Starting today, I’m ready to: 

• Make a point to smile at strangers while I walk down the street.
• Turn up the radio and sing as loud as I can while stuck in traffic.
• Send a text message to a friend to let them know I'm thinking of them.
• Close my eyes and take three slow breathes in and out while saying a positive message like, “I’ve got this!” or “I am strong and capable”. (Helpful trick: Say it out loud. It makes a difference!)
• Focus on my own progress and growth rather than comparing myself to someone else.

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This article was written by Jaylin Bradbury during their time at Shift Collab.