Learning Kindness

Kindness is a word that is often banded about in descriptions of people. It is understood by even the smallest of people; we are taught to "be kind" from the moment we are able to understand the words being spoken to us. I feel that a lot of our day to day lives can be weighed down by the grim monotony that comes with living, and the only way to break this, is through kindness, to ourselves, and to others.

Now, I'm not trying to come across as a wishy-washy rose-tinted-spectacle-wearing hippie, but sometimes the only person to bring yourself out of the dark is yourself. To practice your own self-care. In short, to be kind to yourself.

I have spent many a day laid in my bed moping. I'm sure we can all think of a time when we have done this. Left our hair unwashed, our teeth thick with grime, failing to see a point as to why you should look after yourself anymore. I am not a trained therapist. I offer no concise advice which is proven to work, but I have been there, and I have dragged myself out of that slump.

The only advice I can possibly offer is to simply try. Try for no other reason than you should. Comb your hair, and shower. Let the hot water cleanse you, scrub yourself clean of the despair that has festered on you. Put on clean clothes, or pyjamas. Let the physical idea of cleanliness transpose itself into your thoughts.

Self-care is not a bath bomb, or a chocolate bar. Self care is keeping and honing the strength to keep yourself going. Yes, a chocolate bar does always help. But telling yourself you can, and will make it through the day, is what it comes down to.

This post lacks structure and is pretty unhelpful, but I implore to anyone who is struggling, in any shape or form, to be kind in your thoughts and actions towards yourself.

Thanks for reading!

Helena
Twitter; @they_callmebush