Gifts to give yourself every day
Last Saturday was International Self-Compassion Day and it made me think: what are some gifts I can give to myself every day to honour myself and practice self-care and self-compassion at the same time? Here are 10 gifts to consider giving yourself every day:
1. Presence
Put your phone down. Breathe. Notice what’s around you. Even a few minutes of full presence can reset your mind and reduce stress.
2. Talk Kindly to Yourself
Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in the field of self-compassion, reminds us to speak to yourself like you would to someone you love. Remember, you build a house with the words you speak. Your internal world shapes your perception of your external world, so make it a beautiful place to be.
3. Move Your Body
Stretch, walk, dance, run, hike, practice yoga or Pilates…move your body in a way that feels good to you. It will energize you and release endorphins.
4. Choose Stillness
Give yourself the gift of 5–10 minutes of silence or meditation every day. In a noisy world, stillness allows you to return to yourself and your thoughts.
5. Hydrate & Nourish Yourself
Drink water and eat something your body will thank you for. Treat your body with love and care.
6. Laugh Out Loud
Laughter is medicine. Don’t underestimate the healing power of a good giggle or belly laugh.
7. Get Creative
Write, draw, cook, sing, sketch - pick something that lights you up creatively.
8. Practice Gratitude
Name at least one thing you’re genuinely thankful for. Gratitude trains your brain to focus on abundance rather than lack.
9. Set Boundaries
Say “no” when it protects your peace and “yes” when it honours your truth. Boundaries aren’t selfish, they’re a form of self-respect.
10. Connect with Others
We are, by nature, social creatures hardwired to connect with others. Research has shown that the psychological and physical health benefits of social support and companionship are so great they can outweigh the harmful effects of risk factors and boost life expectancy.
What is one gift you will give yourself today to practice self-compassion?
~Kate
