Creativity and entertainment are both an essential part of self-care. That is why I decided to list out a few ideas that can aid in self-improvement. Think of it like blindly reaching into a grab bag and finding something interesting. Enjoy.
#1 “Emancipate Yourselves From Mental Slavery, None But Ourselves Can Free Our Minds.”
This is one of my favorite lyrics from Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.” Many people are slaves to their own mind. Imagine that you happen to be browsing online and notice an advertisement for your dream job. You have the experience needed for the job. However, you talk yourself out of applying — telling yourself that there is no point in putting in your application as hundreds of candidates have probably already responded to the ad. These types of thoughts enslave you. They cause you to stay stuck in one place. Break free, identify and work through these negative thoughts.
#2 Acting in vs. Acting Out
Acting out refers to expressing one’s feelings in a socially unacceptable way. For example, if your partner is mad at you and starts to yell, throw things or employ the technique of avoidance as the result of his or her anger, that is acting out. Acting in is the ability to experience and verbally communicate what you’re feeling. To avoid acting out, identify your feelings and find healthier ways to cope with them. As an example, one way of dealing with anger might be to go for a run. Or, find a way to express your anger with words. These are healthy ways of managing negative emotions.
#3 You Are Value Added
How do you measure your worth or value? If you feel like you are valuable, you probably feel good about yourself. However, if you believe that you have fallen short of your worth, then your self-esteem has perhaps taken a plummet too. The problem is that self-evaluation isn’t easy and most people are hard on themselves. Instead of comparing yourself to others, which can always shift like the wind, measure yourself based on who you are at your core. This is always a better gauge of your value as a human being.
#4 Processed Happy vs. Organic Happy
Everyone strives for happiness in their own way. However, many people look for fleeting or “processed” happiness rather than true or “organic” happiness. If you don’t feel happy because you don’t have the newest technology, then buying the latest phone will probably make you happy — for a little while. But, as soon as the newness wears off, you will be back to feeling unhappy again. Learn to find an inner happiness that is not dependent on having the latest gadgets or the best Instagram feed. Organic joy comes from inside you. When you are genuinely at peace with your life and the world, then you have found happiness.
