All of my life, I have struggled with a lack of self-worth, growing up in a society where women are constantly being compared to other women and being put in some competition with each other. For years, I constantly compared myself to the women who were conventionally attractive online or who I thought were achieving more goals than I was. After years of therapy, I still struggle to be kinder to myself. However, small tasks can make me feel good about myself and help me relax. Small practices can be beneficial because you can start doing it any time, and they will actually be sustainable. Here are few ways you can start putting it into practice:
Become more active
Working out used to be a part of my routine; however, I am more dedicated than I used to be. I look for small ways to be more active, such as going for a walk or I look up on YouTube and find twenty-minute workout videos. A channel that I recommend is Grow With Jo; Johanna Deveries provides indoor walking videos that can range from twenty minutes to an hour.
Journaling
I often choose to journal because I believe that it’s best to choose tasks that can be sustainable. Journaling allows me to write my emotions and prevent them from building up. For example, when I am anxious, and my mind is racing, I always calm down after writing. I use the Stoic app on my phone; Stoic has many features, such as journaling prompts, and if you ever feel anxious, it provides breathing techniques.
gETTING A NEW HOBBY
I always try new hobbies to keep my mind occupied and grounded. Before, I used to paint or draw, but now, since I do not have much time, I picked up reading. Whenever I feel stressed, or in a situation, I need to escape, I read to ground myself. Also, I like to re-read my favorite novels, such as The Housemaid.
Taking breaks
I consider myself a perfectionist and a hard worker, so at times, there are instances where I over-work myself when it comes to doing assignments. As a result, it would make me feel unmotivated and I dreaded when I had to write my papers. So, I started using the Pomodoro method, where I would take 10-15 minute breaks between assignments. During those breaks, I would watch one of my favorite shows, listen to a podcast, or read.