Showing Up For Yourself

Someone recently asked me how I show up for myself. You have to put yourself first and ask yourself what you really need or want. As we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we value others more than ourselves. Showing up for yourself is critical to your mental, physical, and psychological health. Many people I know struggle with this concept. We often pour all of our energy into other people’s buckets to ensure they feel fulfilled before we do. It is amazing to be empathetic and help others when they need it and we have to take care of ourselves to continue to do that.  

There are many ways to show up for yourself. It will be different depending on who you are and what you need. You can benefit from creating a mindful routine. When creating a mindful routine, you want to stick to what is practical for you and brings you a sense of peace and belonging. You may try some things that don't feel quite right for you and that is okay. Choose a different strategy and try again. It is understandable if this process feels overwhelming; making changes is difficult and you can do it! Select one or two things you can do every day or a few times a week. As you spend time doing these, you will know when you are ready to expand and make additional changes. 

Some simple tasks you can start with include taking a moment to breathe in the fresh air every morning, dedicating 5 minutes a day to putting your feet directly on the earth, drinking one extra glass of water each day, journaling a couple of times a week, going for a walk, giving yourself at least one compliment a day, or meditating for 5 minutes. There are other things you can do as well; just take a moment to be with yourself. As you do these and become more grounded, you will be able to tackle more challenging tasks and show up for yourself even more. 

Some things I do in my daily life to be mindful, practice gratitude, and show up for myself include taking a deep breath and saying good morning to the birds, the earth, and my spirit guides when I let the dogs out in the morning; journaling, gardening, writing lists and putting my thoughts down to let them go in the moment, making sure I eat, drink water, take breaks, and really try to listen to my body. These are just a few examples of things I have incorporated into my life that have helped me. 

We only have so much time on this planet. Fill it with love, gratitude, and happiness rather than stress, frustration, and resentment. Take time to compliment yourself and others, do what makes you happy, and never tell yourself you aren’t good enough. Appreciate the small things in life, appreciate your relationships with others, and be kind to yourself. Today, I want you to take a moment, breathe, and ask yourself if you’re happy. Do you feel like you are showing up for yourself or are you putting all of your energy in someone else’s bucket? What's a small change can you make today to improve your happiness?