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Self-Love in Busy Moments

This post was originally published on the My Peacetree blog. Read more about these archives.

Repeat after me: I will give myself a moment or two of my own time. I will remember that I (and my mental, physical, and emotional health) am a priority. I will be gentle with myself.

I sit on my bed under a downy blanket, fighting procrastination. This past week has been a tough one for me. There have been several things which have been testing me mentally and emotionally and which have been completely preoccupying my mind. Deadlines are ever present. I’m exhausted and have not been treating my body well, resulting in further exhaustion.

What does one do in these situations? Do you, like I do, need reminding that it’s okay to take a step back, take a deep breath, and go slowly?

Sometimes, in all the hurry and bustle and must dos and should dos, I forget to take care of myself. I forget to send myself love, and I forget to be gentle with myself. If you are in a similar situation, dearest, remember that you are a top priority – those To Dos can wait for a moment while you dedicate some time to you.

For a short-term solution, take a quick break in the midst of work – it often allows one to come back refreshed and full of renewed energy. Struggling through a project or task may in fact prevent you from doing your best work or from accomplishing as much as you need to!

Try one or more of these little tricks to boost your spirits and your drive:

  • Make a cup of tea and sip it slowly
  • Read a blog post or two
  • Take a short walk outside
  • Have a conversation with your kids, spouse, or friend
  • Doodle or sketch
  • Stretch
  • Meditate for a few minutes, or simply close your eyes and focus on your breathing
  • Tidy the area around you – often a clear space helps create a clear mind
  • Make a list of 15 things to be grateful for

After a few minutes’ break, return to the task at hand and see if you are not more clear-headed and better able to focus. I suggest giving yourself at least five minutes of time each hour in order to re-center. Go on, treat yourself to some self-love!

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You vs. That Beautiful White Page

This post was originally published on the My Peacetree blog. Read more about these archives.

The very first page of my new sketchbook, part of the Sketchbook Project.

Begin.

It’s a word much, much easier said than done, especially when it comes to art. Behold the dreaded First Page above! It is white, beautiful, smooth, clean, and unmarked – but it is also ordinary, silent, with nothing to say, waiting for you to transform it into something only your mind can imagine and only your hands can create.

Are you intimidated by the White Page? You are not alone!

Try this: take a deep breath and close your eyes. Reach around you, and use whatever art supply you first find to make a mark on the paper. It can be small and quickly done, though it will make a bigger impact if you push yourself to make a larger mark.

Now open your eyes – and hopefully this mark will break the spell of the First Page and you will be free to explore, play, and experiment!

If you find yourself still stuck for ideas, give one (or more!) of these a go:

  • Make a list: things you can see, things you can hear, things you can feel.
  • Splash on some color: use markers, crayons, watercolors, acrylics, pens, colored pencils, or highlighters.
  • Write one word in large letters across two pages.
  • Add some texture: glue in images, scrap paper, receipts, tickets, bits of newspaper, and tissue paper.
  • Drip watered down paint or India ink across the pages.
  • Cover a whole page with your writing, without stopping.
  • Do a blind contour drawing: while looking at an object, try to trace its outline without lifting your pen or looking at the page.

With practice, beginning a page becomes easier and easier, and the battle of starting a new journal becomes easier. Promise!

Now go give it a try, and see how brave and proud you feel when the First Page is dripping in color.

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Healing with Love

This post was originally published on the My Peacetree blog. Read more about these archives.

Every one of us struggles with our identity at some point.

We question who we are and what we have to give to the world. We compare ourselves to others, and wonder if we truly are unique or if we are merely a drop in the ocean. We face criticisms and complaints from others and from ourselves, and sometimes our faith in who we are – and what purpose we have – is shaken.

We are often told that to recognize and accept the things we treasure about ourselves is immodest.

“I have beautiful eyes.”
“I am a very good guitar player.”
“I am intelligent.”

We can (and should!) accept and celebrate ourselves – and it is not at all wrong to love oneself or to be unafraid to admit it! We can certainly do so in a positive way free from narcissism and arrogance.

We judge our inner monologue

We are undoubtedly our harshest critics. There is a quote: “We judge others by their actions, and we judge ourselves by our intentions.”

Only we can see the inner workings of our mind; we experience our darkest thoughts and our most unkind feelings. We censor ourselves to the outer world, but are completely exposed to ourselves, and so we berate ourselves for harsh things we have not said and cruel things we have not done. We often judge ourselves for these unexpressed things – but how unfair that is! “We judge others by their actions, and ourselves by our intentions.”

Pay attention to the kind things you have done and the sympathetic words you have spoken, for actions speak so very much louder than words – especially words that are unsaid.

Be gentle with yourself

From today forward, be gentle with yourself. Show yourself love, kindness, and patience – as you would any dear friend. And remember these four Truths – for they are undoubtedly, absolutely, unchangingly true:

  • You are appreciated.
  • You are wanted.
  • You matter.
  • You are loved.
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