soft rules to live by on hard days

Whether you’re experiencing a tough day or navigating a difficult time, here are some soft rules to live by when everything feels heavy:

Lower the bar. Give yourself permission to do less. If you only have 20% to give and you give that much, then you gave 100%.

Speak kindly to yourself. If you wouldn’t say it to a loved one who was struggling, don’t say it to yourself. Remember, the words you speak become the house you live in.

Limit input. When you’re overwhelmed, the world can feel too loud and negative. Mute the news, take a step back from social media, go for a walk without your phone, eat lunch away from your desk, and unfollow anyone that isn’t inspiring.

Move your body. Stretch. Take a walk outside. Open a window. Sit outside and listen to bird song. Any, and all, of these things will activate your parasympathetic nervous system (in charge of your “rest and digest”)

Let yourself not be okay. You don’t have to “snap out of it.” You’re allowed to feel what you feel. It’s part of being human. This is what is referred to in Positive Psychology as emodiversity.

Do something that brings you a sense of calm. Light a candle and enjoy a mug of your favourite tea. Rewatch a comfort show in your favourite pajamas. Take a relaxing bath with jazz music playing in the background. Play a song you know by heart. Read an inspiring poem or a few pages of a book.

~Kate