We are taught from an early age to be kind to others and how it’s good to be nice and helpful. While it may come easy to put other people’s feelings before our own, but what about being kind to ourselves?

Here are seven ways to help you be kinder to yourself:

1. Look at yourself in the mirror and say what you love about yourself

First, take a good look at yourself in the mirror, without being judgemental and searching for faults. Notice all the things you love about yourself, because although you may not think so at first, you have many great qualities. Remind yourself of these by saying them aloud to yourself while looking at the mirror.

2. Release judgement and forgive yourself

Nobody’s perfect and we all make mistakes. So if you’re holding on to things you are not proud of from your past, let them go because while we can’t change our past, we can control how we act going forward. Forgive yourself and stop judging yourself. Once you have accepted that you are only human, one of the greatest ways you can show kindness is to start by forgiving yourself, feel the weight lift from your shoulders as you do this and notice how much lighter and brighter you feel already.

3. Take time out for yourself

Take time for self care. This could be as simple as taking 10 minutes out to sit and read an article, have a cup of your favourite drink and enjoy the peace, taking a long leisurely bath or taking a short walk outside. Self care is part of showing yourself some love.

4. Value your time and space

Create and set boundaries for yourself. This isn’t being selfish, it is being realistic and helps to protect your energy, on physically, mentally and spiritually. Honour your time.

5. Treat yourself

You deserve to treat yourself; it doesn’t have to be something big, it just needs to feel good to you. All too often we find it easier to splash out on our loved ones, but often forget that we need a treat to. So, buy yourself a gift, treat yourself to a meal and enjoy it.

6. Reassure and encourage yourself

Remember, you are doing the best you can at any given situation, so encourage yourself and love yourself for trying. You are doing great.

7. Be gentle with yourself

Don’t be hard on yourself. Go easy on yourself and be kind. If things go well, that’s great. If not, well, that’s okay too. Love and look after yourself because you matter.

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