It’s getting to that time of year when winter is dragging by, and all you can think about is sunny blue skies and a warm breeze, laying outside in a field of puppies without a care in the world. Snap back to reality: you have 2 papers due tomorrow, an exam next week, you skipped the gym this morning (and ate a donut instead), you put zero effort into your outfit today (makeup didn’t even cross your mind), and you know that there are a million other reasons to worry in the back of your mind, waiting for the worst moment to pop out.
One of the most important pieces of advice that I’ve received is to be kind to yourself. Talk to yourself like you would talk to your best friend. You wouldn’t tell your best friend that she’s stupid for not doing well on an exam. You would tell her she’ll do better next time, and that everything is okay. You wouldn’t tell your best friend that she’s fat or ugly because she didn’t go to the gym this morning or she didn’t slap on some makeup. You would tell her that she is beautiful inside and out, no matter what. And you wouldn’t constantly remind her of everything she has to do when the clock is ticking down, but instead support her and let her know that she is doing amazing.
Self-love is not selfish. You need to compliment yourself and extinguish the negative thoughts from your mind. Negativity breeds quickly, and if you let it consume you, it will. Instead, celebrate yourself and take each day one step at a time. There are only 24 hours in a day, so make sure your “To-Do” list is manageable and includes time spent doing something you love and will make you happy.
I’m not here to tell you that these problems will go away. But I am here to tell you that you can change your mind set about these problems! Thinking positively sounds easy, but it is not one and done. Tell yourself every day that 1) you got this! 2) you are beautiful inside and out! and 3) you are amazing!
As John Lennon said, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”
HCXO,
Zelie