Today we’re going to talk about something that’s often overlooked but oh-so important: showing up for yourself.
We often show up for our loved ones, but when it comes to ourselves, we tend to take a backseat.
We make excuses for not pursuing our dreams or taking care of our well-being, but the truth is, showing up for yourself should be a priority, just like any other commitment in life.
So how do you do it? How do you show up for yourself?
What does it mean to show up for yourself?
Showing up for yourself means really taking ownership of your life and decisions.
It’s prioritizing yourself and making sure that you have what you need to be successful and that your needs are being met.
Practically speaking, it may look like getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals every day, or setting aside ‘me’ time.
But above all else, showing up for yourself means being understanding of who you are – because only you know what works best for your well-being in any given situation.
How To Show Up For Yourself
1. Be kind when you talk to yourself
We’ve all experienced that nagging voice in our head that tells us we’re not good enough. It can be a real downer, right?
But here’s the truth: you’re stronger and more capable than you give yourself credit for. You deserve to love yourself just as you are.
If you want to show up for yourself every day, it’s time to challenge those negative thoughts and feelings.
Practice reframing them with kindness self compassion, and positivity. Treat yourself like you would treat a dear friend or trusted mentor. Speak words of peace, love, acceptance, and support.
Next time you make a mistake, rather than dwelling on what went wrong, ask yourself what you can do differently next time.
Remember, mistakes don’t define us – they make us wiser and stronger.
By being kind to yourself, you can create positive conversations in your head that will set you up for success every day.
2. Stay true to who you really are
Ever noticed that when you are your true self, you feel like you can conquer the world? It’s like everything just clicks into place.
You’re able to make decisions that feel right and speak your mind without hesitation.
Being authentic also has a ripple effect on your relationships with those around you. It’s true!
Think about inspiring women like Malala Yousafzai, Maya Angelou, and Oprah. They’ve all shown that by staying true to themselves, they’ve inspired others to do the same and make the world a better place.
So why not make a commitment to live a life of purpose and authenticity every day? Start by taking a few moments to check in with yourself each morning (or whenever works best for you).
Ask yourself what makes YOU happy and fulfilled, and what aligns with YOUR values.
Then make choices throughout the day that reflect that truth.
3. Prioritize your own needs and wellbeing
Taking care of yourself is super important if you want to stay energized and connected with your inner self.
You don’t have to do anything fancy or spend lots of money. Just go for regular walks or, clear your mind with some meditation.
Be sure to set an intention before you start your day. This way, you can focus on what truly matters instead of getting bogged down by distractions, emotions or stressors.
Schedule activities that bring you joy and invigorate your soul – whether it’s listening to music, spending time with friends who make your heart sing, or indulging in a luxurious bubble bath!
4. Practice positive self-talk with daily affirmations
Daily affirmations are like little nuggets of positivity you can say or write to yourself throughout the day.
Not only do they help to challenge some of the negative self-talk we mentioned earlier, but they also build resilience and boost your self-confidence!
Now if you’re thinking.. “Wait a minute.. how am I supposed to come up with the perfect affirmation that speaks directly to ME?” Don’t panic…. – the beauty is in the customization!
For example: instead of saying “I am worthy”, try something more tailored like “I’m on track towards achieving those #goals by fearlessly trying new things!”
Also, there are lots of affirmation videos on YouTube to get you started. Here’s one of our favourites….
5. Don’t let others’ opinions affect you too much
Who else finds themselves worrying about what others think of them? Raises hand
This is totally normal. But, in reality, we shouldn’t let the opinions of others overshadow our own. Easier said than done, we know.
At the end of the day, we need to remember that we can only control ourselves and not others’ thoughts.
If you’re living with integrity, humility, and respect for yourself and for others, then whatever anyone thinks shouldn’t matter.
You need to trust your own judgement when making decisions towards achieving your goals and living your life while staying true to yourself.
Follow your own path regardless of someone’s opinion on it. It’s YOUR journey!
6. Take care of your physical and mental health
When it comes to the physical side of your health, make sure you’re getting enough restful sleep (extra snooze time? Yes please!), squeezing in regular exercise or indulging in calming yoga classes- whatever floats your boat!
Eating nutritious foods that fuel your body is also vital – think fresh veggies, fruits, and lots of water. And don’t forget to take breaks throughout the day whenever you need them!
Now let’s talk about nurturing that beautiful mind of yours. Seeing a therapist is a really effective way of showing up for yourself and looking after your mental health.
Seeing a therapist has so many benefits. You can learn effective coping skills, explore underlying issues, and learn to trust your own feelings.
If you’re not too keen on therapy, you can also talk to a trusted family member or friend. Keeping a journal is also a great way to express emotions in an uncritical space.
7. Set boundaries for yourself
What do you need in your life to feel fulfilled? Maybe it’s some quiet time by yourself, or maybe it’s having clear and consistent communication with the people who matter most around you.
Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to express your needs in a confident yet respectful way.
Don’t be afraid to say “no” when someone asks something of you that doesn’t align with your own well-being.
You have every right to put yourself first sometimes. And let’s face the facts – not everyone has our best interests at heart. It’s okay to say “no” when you think someone is taking advantage of you.
Don’t let guilt or pressure from others stop you from setting healthy boundaries.
8. Don’t be too hard on yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, expecting perfection from yourself at all times.
You might even feel guilty for taking breaks, feeling that you should be constantly working towards your goals.
The truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup! It’s perfectly acceptable to take time out of your busy schedule for an indulgent pamper session or a guilt-free Netflix marathon.
9. Make an effort to look and feel good every day
Let’s talk about the importance of looking and feeling good every single day. Think it’s just vanity?
Think again – taking care of yourself can have a major impact on your mood, confidence and self-worth.
First things first: skincare is key. Find quality products that hydrate your skin and make you feel refreshed – trust us, you’ll look more alive than ever before!
Next up: dress for YOU. Who cares what anyone else thinks? When you put on clothes that make you feel powerful and confident, walking tall is second nature.
Focus on how clothes make YOU feel instead of worrying about other people’s opinions or remarks– it’s all an important part of self-care.
10. Try not to overthink things too much
It’s alright to feel a bit anxious or worked up about situations beyond your control. But overthinking this to the point that you can’t move forward isn’t good for your mental and emotional health.
Instead of replaying scenarios over and over again in your head (we’ve all been down that rabbit hole before), try putting things into perspective.
Ask yourself – what’s the worst that could happen? Chances are, the sun will still rise tomorrow!
Whenever you find yourself stuck in a state of panic, take a deep breath and remind yourself that this, too shall pass.
Also, sometimes getting an honest outside perspective from someone you trust can be super helpful as well.
11. Trust your gut feelings and instincts
Have you ever had a gut feeling that something just wasn’t right? Or maybe you’ve experienced a burst of intuition that led you to make the perfect decision for yourself.
Your intuition is seriously powerful when it comes to showing up for yourself.
Our sense of intuition acts as a compass, pointing us towards what truly aligns with who we are.
If you’re faced with a tough choice, pause and ask yourself which option feels more in line with your values and desires.
Now don’t get us wrong- following your intuition isn’t always easy-peasy. Sometimes it’ll mean stepping the first step outside of your emotional comfort zones or facing challenges head-on.
But at the end of the day, trusting your instincts will lead you down the path that’s meant for you.
12. Invest in your future and personal growth
Investing in your future and personal growth is one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself.
Personal growth means creating positive changes from within; it’s about learning, growing, and evolving as a person so that you can reach your highest potential.
It’s an ongoing process that requires dedication and commitment.
To get started, take a look at what areas of your life you want to improve and create an action plan.
Once you’ve identified your goals, be consistent towards achieving them – even if it’s just in small ways.
Taking actions such as reading books or listening to podcasts related to the topics that interest you, attending workshops or classes, or connecting with new people can provide you with valuable insights that will help you grow.
Always invest in yourself. Buying books, courses or membership subscriptions may seem expensive, but they’re worth every penny for the invaluable knowledge you’ll learn.
And applying all that newfound wisdom could potentially boost your income too!
13. Walk away from toxic people and situations
It’s tough when relationships or people we’ve connected with start taking us down a negative path.
So you really need to be able to spot the signs of a toxic relationship or situation and know what to do about it.
Take a minute to tune into what’s going on and admit how bad things feel: that’s step one. After you’ve taken stock of things, try your best to cut ties with that person or situation.
Find ways to positively reset your boundaries: spend more time around the people in your life who are emotionally healthy and supportive.
You are the only person who has the power to choose who gets access to your heart and energy.
Breaking free isn’t always easy, but sometimes cutting ties is necessary for our own well-being and mental health.
14. Celebrate your achievements and successes
Whether big or small, every milestone deserves to be recognized, so pat yourself on the back for all your hard work and reflect on just how far you’ve come.
Taking the time to appreciate what you’ve accomplished can be truly transformative. It has the power to lift your spirits, keep you motivated, and ignite a spark within you that drives you forward towards even greater things.
By celebrating your achievements, you’re giving yourself permission to acknowledge just how much effort you’ve put into reaching your goals.
Celebrating doesn’t always have to involve grand gestures or parties with balloons and streamers (although those can be fun, too!).
Sometimes it can simply mean taking a quiet moment for yourself – maybe lighting a candle, having a cup of tea or listening to your favorite tunes.
Showing Up For Ourselves Is A Big Deal
It’s not always easy to confront our negative thoughts and true feelings, but it’s essential for maintaining good mental health.
If you’re ready to start showing up for yourself in a more meaningful way, the first step is simply understanding the importance of doing so.
Then, make a plan to begin incorporating all the ways to show up for yourself that we’ve highlighted above into your daily routine.
Hear what your body and mind every day are telling you and take breaks when needed.
By taking the time to practice self care you can break old habits that may be holding you back from being your best self.
Finally, none of us is perfect. We all fall short sometimes, but that doesn’t mean we should give up on ourselves.
Make sure you practice self-love and self-compassion and remind yourself that you’re worth taking care of.
Changing old patterns takes time and effort. But in the long run, making positive changes will lead you in the right direction towards living a happier life.