Be Kinder. To Yourself.
We write many blog posts about being kinder to your skin; how to gently cleanse it, how to keep in moisturized, how to protect it from harmful UV rays, how eating right and drinking plenty of water is an important part of a healthy skincare regime.
We also recently blogged about holiday stress, how that disruption to your normal routine, combined with cold weather can wreck havoc on your skin.
What about the rest of the year?
The beginning of January is the time we reflect on the past year and commit to being better about something; Eating better, getting more exercise, saving more money, getting more sleep. Practicing better "self-care" by focusing on improving those basic life habits in 2018 is always a good idea.
Are they the same resolutions you made last year? Did you "fall off the wagon" something in February and then just give up?
What if something that's less obvious is subconsciously sabotaging your efforts?
"You're Only Human."
It's a phrase often used for saying someone has been weak in the ways that most people are weak and shouldn't be blamed for their behavior. The word "only" in that context is a negative word; "less than" superhuman." But you weren't created to be a superhuman. So why are you hard on yourself when you can't perform superhuman feats?
Harsh self-criticism keeps you focused on the negative. If you're already feeling negative about yourself, how can you expect your system to find the energy to do the hard work of developing better long term lifestyle habits you listed in your resolutions?
Practicing compassion for ourselves in no way releases us from responsibility for our own actions. It just releases us from self-hatred. Focus on being the best you can be in the moment. If that moment means you need a break from the hectic pace of modern adulting, then take that break. Treat yourself to a simple pleasure.
Like a cup of hot cocoa.
With marshmallows.
And then don't beat yourself up for it.
There will be another moment for you to be the best at something else as soon as you finish that cup.
