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Kindness Challenge – Self Love!
Week 1 of the kindness challenge just passed by and I realized that I am yet to post about it. Not that I didn’t remember to post, just that I was trying to stall as much as I could. Somehow, writing about self-compassion or kindness to self seems impossible. If writing about it is so difficult, then imagine how difficult it would be to practice it.
I almost said out aloud to Ms. Niki who runs the blog The Richness of a Simple Life:
“Niki, what were you thinking when you chose the hardest of them all to start the challenge with?”
But then I realized, it wouldn’t be a “Challenge” if it was something we could easily complete, right? And add to that, she even gave us a list of kindness exercises we could pick from.
Week 1 exercises- Pick at least one of the following to help you incorporate this week’s focus in your life:
- Think about something you’re grateful for
- Tell yourself something that you love about yourself
- Read an inspirational quote first thing in the morning
- Wake up and think about 10 beautiful things in your life
- Do something nice for yourself
- Dedicate some time to yourself
- Give yourself a break
- Think of 5 good things for every negative thought
- Come up with your own self-kindness exercise
Since I had an entire week to practice some self-kindness, I decided to try as many of the exercises from her list as I could. I will not say that it was easy ‘coz I had to constantly remind myself not to be overly critical of myself and I will not say that it was too difficult to follow either ‘coz I did not have to work too hard to achieve this! Yes, I needed a few reminders, but it wasn’t an impossible feat to achieve!
Well, here are the results of my attempt of week 1 exercises of the kindness challenge:
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Think about something you’re grateful for
This was something I could do easily! I am most grateful for my son! If he wasn’t in my life, then I do not know what I did do! He keeps me grounded, disciplined, organized and keeps pushing me to learn new things every day. Whilst I do all of this for him like every parent will do, it helps me grow as a person and as a mother!
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Tell yourself something that you love about yourself
I will be honest, this one was slightly hard for me! I kept thinking for the first 3 days since the week 1 challenge was posted to try and find an answer to this, yet couldn’t come up with an answer. Then, on the 4th day, it struck me – what it is that I like about myself. There is this thing in me that never allows me to give up! I take that as a quality, because even on my worst days it was this quality that kept me alive and pushed me out of my miserable self to become a better person and a better mom! That will power and that surviving spirit is one of my best qualities!
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Read an inspirational quote first thing in the morning
This quote here really stuck with me!
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Wake up and think about 10 beautiful things in your life
This is my list of 10 beautiful things in my life:
- My Son – Adi – my constant source of joy
- My Little Nephew who is on the way – ETA Aug 2016!
- My Parents, my Sister and Brother-in law – these are my pillars of strength!
- My writing – my upcoming novel which I hope to publish this year!
- My friends who are excited about me becoming a published author!
- The beautiful home and neighborhood I am living in – so beautiful!
- My job/career that challenges me every day
- Books, books and more books – I can never get enough of them!
- Music – soulful and calming music – always beautiful
- Creating memories every day!
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Do something nice for yourself
My fitness and health was something that I had been ignoring for a while now. Thus in order to do something nice for myself, I started on a renewed fitness journey. I have made running a part of my daily routine. I will keep you updated on that as I move along my new fitness path.
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Dedicate some time to yourself and Give yourself a break
Oh, I had a wonderful break this weekend when we went on a camping trip! The camp site was lovely, so beautiful and green that I felt in sync with nature! Plus, I got the much needed “me” time! I could not have asked for a better weekend than this!
So, this was my week 1 of the Kindness Challenge! And I must say that at the end of week 1, I feel exhilarated and fresh as though some form of heavy load has been lifted off of my chest!
Now, I am eagerly looking forward to week 2 of this challenge. I urge those of you who are not yet part of this challenge to give it a go, trust me, you will love it!
36 Comments
Miriam
What a wonderful post. It sounds as though you really embraced self-kindness for week one, good for you. Life is so much better when we look after ourselves. I love the quote you chose and your camping trip sounds fantastic. Hope this week is just as good.
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Miriam! It was a wonderful week and you are so right, Life is much better when we look after ourselves!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Miriam
It absolutely is, isn’t it? Completely changes the focus which just has a ripple effect of joy that keeps going. Enjoy!
MindandLifeMatters
Very true!
ladieswholunchreviews
Wow, you did a great job of looking at each of Niki’s suggestions this week. What a wonderful post!
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Diane! I was not sure I could complete even week 1 of the challenge, but I was glad for the list! That did really help me!
ladieswholunchreviews
We just need to keep going. It’s a good challenge!
MindandLifeMatters
Absolutely!
Niki
What a beautiful week! You did this exactly right! The week started off with you being hard on yourself about practicing the exercises. You embraced it, and did such a great job of incorporating the exercises into your daily life! What a timely camping trip to help you see the beauty, feel connected in nature and take a weekend to slow down no doubt
I’m so happy for how wonderful you felt finishing the week! How can you remember to focus on your strengths regularly? No need to answer, just a little thought to ponder as we move into week 2 so that the beautiful self-discovery moves along with you 
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Niki! You are so right, I started the week being hard on myself and almost panicking thinking I will fail miserably at this challenge! But thanks to your list, I was able to incorporate the exercises whilst I embraced the changes that was happening inside of me!
I will surely remind myself of this as we move on to the remaining weeks!
Niki
I’m so glad to hear it! I wasn’t sure if I should list exercises or not because I wanted for the journey to be up to each participant so I’m glad you found it helpful.
MindandLifeMatters
Oh please do list them, it definitely helps people like me!
Niki
Thank goodness! So glad to hear it!
MindandLifeMatters
Ancient Skies
Wonderful! Wishing you much success with your novel.
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Nico!
Lynz Real Cooking
This is a wonderful challenge and you are a special person!
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you so much, Lynz! That is so sweet of you to say
Dawn Marie
This was precious! You have much to be grateful for!! Hugs!
MindandLifeMatters
It is indeed! Thank you for reading, dear!
Hugs!
jacquelineobyikocha
You’ve got tons to be grateful for. Beautiful and heartwarming post.
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Jacque!
jacquelineobyikocha
My pleasure
Bun Karyudo
This was a great, uplifting post! You have a lot of positive stuff in your life. Well done with your book, by the way. It’s great to hear that you’re getting on so well with it.
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you so much! I guess when I really decided to open my eyes and look around me , I did find a lot of positivity!
Bun Karyudo
That’s a nice thing to see!
MindandLifeMatters
Indeed!
theturtle
What an interesting challenge and I loved how you responded to it
oh yes I am
As for me I’m learning to dance in the rain
Turtle Hugs
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you dear turtle, I’m so happy to know that you have started to dance in the rain! I’m learning to do that!
Turtle Hugs to you too!
breakdownchick
A beautiful and important challenge. I find the journey of self love difficult as well; but, isn’t it great to break down those self beater barriers!? <3
beinglovelyyoublog
I’m glad i found this post, you’ve really inspired me to take part in the challenge even if i am a little late to the party. Beautiful post
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you! I’m glad you have decided to do the challenge. It’s never too late.
louisehardin
Inspire all this post
Pinkspen
I love this and I think I am going to have to adapt this process into my lifestyle.
I would love your feedback on my blog LADYHOOD https://aladyhoodjourney.wordpress.com/ I have multiple posts, most recent, “Self-Love Quotes” & “Beauty Is…” I aim to challenge women to become the best versions of themselves and push back against the pop culture standards of what a woman is. I would love some constructive criticism.
Great post!
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you for your kind words, I will surely check out your website shortly.
jamivee
I’ve spent all year working on myself…meditating, writing, nurturing myself. The end result is that I have just now learned to love myself, and realized I am finally capable of feeling the love of others. It’s beautiful:)