Put yourself first.

If you decide to do it, promise me you’ll never feel bad about it. Women in particular have become accustomed to the fact that they need to put others first.

It is awfully wrong, and you should make a habit out of it. Find the time to decompress, because without decompressing and recharging, you will put a serious amount of stress on yourself.

Whether we’re talking about spending the day in bed or outdoors, find what helps you relax and dedicate time.

Feel the pain and join as fully as you can.

It is mandatory to allow yourself to feel everything. I say this, and, to be completely honest with you, I don’t think I fully understood it until recently.

When I say it, here’s what I mean: if you’re going through something difficult, it’s not SHAMEFUL to feel bad or to be in pain.

So many of my friends feel the need to decompress and talk about a difficult event, and each and every time, they end up mentioning how ashamed they feel.

In fact, do you want to know something? I am positive that you’ve already proven you’re the strongest. You just have to see it with your own eyes.

Notice the beauty in the little things.

Do this exercise: try to see something beautiful around you every single day. I know some people might call this “mindfulness”, and maybe it is, but I think this is something we have long forgotten to do.

Be grateful for your smile, for your dog, for your hips, for your friends, family, lover, and everything about you. Little by little, you will start to notice how wonderful you are, and great things will come your way.

Be kind to yourself.

This world is so harsh, so please don’t add yourself to the mix. Speak kindly to yourself, and never call yourself mean things.

Celebrate your life every day. You’ve managed to come so far, and you’ve grown so much! You deserve it!

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