a self- kindness challenge

a self- kindness challenge

We were adding some ornaments to the Christmas tree last year when I noticed the bracelet that my mother was wearing. It simply said, KIND.

She bought it for a dollar at a Christmas boutique at my nephew’s elementary school. All the goods for sale were handmade by the students and were being sold for a fund-raiser.

I couldn’t resist it, it was just so precious, I remember her saying. Plus, she added, it’s a nice reminder for me to be extra-kind to people.

She was referring to times when she needed patience the most; when she might say something out of frustration or anger and needed to keep kindness at the front of her mind.

What about reminding yourself to be KIND to yourself, Mom? What about just going easy on yourself and giving yourself just the kind of kindness you want to show others? I asked.

She had never thought of it.

And I’m pretty sure that for many of us it’s the same. We just don’t think of it and I think it’s time we did.

Here’s a little challenge for you this week:

Every time you say something to yourself that’s disparaging or hopeless, or just plain hurtful, ask yourself if you would say those same words to anyone else. this is just a just a simple way to observe the negative self-talk you might be falling into. Would you say those same things to ANYONE but yourself? My guess is not. So then, it’s time to bite your own tongue and replace those mean words with KIND ones. Treat yourself as you would treat your own child or your friends or family.

When you put your words through that filter, you’ll better your chances of being KIND to you and that’s the whole point here; to learn how to simply be more KIND to yourself.

Are you up for the challenge?

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16 Comments
  • mindy
    Posted at 21:07h, 07 July Reply

    what a wonderful idea! i am absolutely much harder on myself than i am on anyone else i know…

    this is a great challenge and i am totally up for it!!

  • marina
    Posted at 09:26h, 08 July Reply

    Tracey, this is a beautiful challenge! what you write about the risk of being much less kind towards ourselves than the people we love rings so true to me! I am definitely up for the challenge!!! thank you for this inspiration!!!

  • Gina Lento
    Posted at 13:06h, 08 July Reply

    WOW. That’s deep and something I never thought of….thank you for posting this!

    Gina

  • Jodene Shaw
    Posted at 15:20h, 08 July Reply

    Love this…I will be passing it on!

  • Kimberley McGill
    Posted at 18:38h, 08 July Reply

    I need this reminder of self-kindness, which I’m discovering is my lesson right now.
    And I just adore the bracelet your mom found.

  • Kirsten H
    Posted at 03:27h, 09 July Reply

    The good stuff should start at home thanks for the reminder

  • Francesca
    Posted at 11:00h, 09 July Reply

    I love this idea – I am definitely up to give it a go and share it with others – thanks so much! xo

  • Tara Mohr
    Posted at 15:06h, 09 July Reply

    A beautiful reminder, thank you.
    What I’ve found so amazing in my own life is that when I’m kind to myself, I get better results. I am more productive, because I’m more in tune with what’s really going on for me – fatigue, resentment, confusion – etc. I can attend to what in me I need to attend to. It’s a much less stressful way to live!

  • Kerry
    Posted at 04:11h, 13 July Reply

    I love this. Some friends and I were just talking about this very thing. I often wonder at times…why we forget to be kinder to ourselves. I am sharing this with others…I love the your Mom’s bracelet. As well as what you share here daily.

  • jane
    Posted at 08:14h, 14 July Reply

    i am up for it… i will be as kind to myself as i wish others to be to me

  • Cara
    Posted at 01:23h, 15 July Reply

    Never thought of it that way but you are so right. Thanks for the reminder.

  • Mousy Brown
    Posted at 18:19h, 15 July Reply

    I love this idea and I so need it at the moment – I am a bit late but I am going to have a go! 😀

  • Laurie LeBlanc-Rickaby
    Posted at 16:08h, 24 July Reply

    Beautiful post. I needed this this morning as I struggle to find motivation and inspiration lately and am not being very patient with myself after a few months of working hard on a deadline. Thanks!

  • Jen
    Posted at 02:24h, 29 July Reply

    Thank you so much for this post. We have three kids and our family motto/mantra is "Be kind. Be helpful. Be respectful." I must say it 100 times a week. I am inspired to make a similar bracelet to wear as a gentle reminder for my kids.

  • Sarah
    Posted at 01:07h, 30 July Reply

    A beautiful post. I think that this might be the starting point for the attitude I want to foster in my grade 8 class for September. Thank you.

  • Julie Manning
    Posted at 11:34h, 06 August Reply

    If I said to someone else the things I’ve said to myself you’d thin k I was the nastiest person in the world. So thanks for the challenge, it feels nice anticipating being nice to myself – I look forward to it!

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