𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕, 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇, 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒎

I saw this 'statement' the other day and it resonated with me.  We can be so hard on ourselves. I can be so hard on myself too. That little voice in your head might keep pointing out everything you think you’re doing wrong or comparing you to others. Over time, it can wear you down and make it harder to see the good in yourself.

But imagine if you were a plant. Plants don’t grow when they’re ignored or treated badly. They need water, light, and care to thrive. The same goes for you. You need kindness, patience, and time for yourself to grow and feel better.

Why Are We So Tough on Ourselves?

Sometimes, being hard on yourself starts early. Looking back and with support, I have identified where it all started for me. Maybe you felt pressure always to do well, or you picked up the idea that making mistakes wasn’t okay. Other times, it’s because of what people around you have said or done, or because society has taught us we’re not “enough” as we are.

When we take on these thoughts, it can feel like we’re carrying other people’s opinions around, and they weigh us down. That’s why it’s so important to focus on what you think and need, not what others expect from you.

Why Self-Care Matters

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s how you stay strong and healthy. If you’re always running on empty, you can’t enjoy life or be there for others the way you’d like to.

When you’re kind to yourself, you:

• Feel calmer and more in control of your emotions.
• Accept that you don’t have to be perfect to be worthy.
• Feel more connected to who you are.
• Learning not to take on what others think of you is also part of self-care.

Not everyone will understand you, and that’s okay. How you see yourself and what you need to feel good about your life matters.

How to Care for Yourself

• Be kind to yourself
• Speak to yourself like you would to a good friend. Instead of saying, “I can’t do anything right,” try, “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
• Set Boundaries - You don’t have to please everyone. Saying no when you need to is one way of taking care of yourself.
• Celebrate your wins
• Even small achievements matter. Give yourself credit for what you’ve done instead of focusing on what you haven’t.
• Focus on what’s good
• Take a moment to appreciate what’s good about you. Maybe it’s your kindness, your humour, or how you always try your best.
• Let go of other people’s opinions

Not everyone will see things the way you do, and that’s okay. Trust yourself to know what’s best for you.

When you give yourself care and kindness, you’ll feel lighter and stronger. You are your own little plant—water yourself, let in the light, and watch yourself grow. 🌱