How did you go last week with rewarding yourself? Did you notice the difference to your energy levels, to your confidence & self-esteem?
In my world of busy-ness and responsibility and having to get things done I need reminders that I am not just about what I do. It’s taken some time to acknowledge that I matter too. The simple rewards I put in place for myself are my steps to putting me first even, and especially, at times when I am so busy, I don’t think I have time.
Living a flexible lifestyle outside “the usual” continues to remind me I can do things outside “the usual” too. My hours, my rewards are not tied as much to other people’s expectations of how & when I perform. I work and live to my own routine and yet I still find myself feeling guilty and justifying what I do & when.
This week was Valentine’s Day – the day of celebration of romantic love. I’m writing this before the day, so I don’t know what the day brought. Despite my yearning for romantic love, I do know I’m skeptical of receiving the compliment of the day. Or even compliments on other days.
If giving myself rewards has taken time to acknowledge, then so too has receiving rewards and acknowledgments from others. A “thank you”, a “wow, you’re amazing”, an acknowledgment of something wonderful I’ve done is sometimes hard to receive. For the things that come naturally to me, I wonder what’s so special about what I did. Sometimes it’s the trust – “why are you being nice to me?” “What do you want?” kind of thinking.
Receiving compliments has taken the same kind of reminders. No apologies or excuses are needed in receiving a compliment. Breathe & say “thank you” or “you’re welcome”. Take the compliment and be with it. Reflect on what was said and you’ll start to recall other times you’ve heard the same compliment. It will start to filter through.
Receive the compliments you are given. Whether on Valentine’s Day or any other day.
This week’s call to action – list the compliments you’re given, receive them and begin to embody them for they are the truth that is you. Happy Valentine’s Day to you.