Practical ideas that can change your perspective and mood
It doesn’t take much and it doesn’t take long to show yourself a little love. Let’s quit putting everybody else first all the time. Sure, some of these suggestions involve doing something nice for someone else, but the point of this exercise is to choose something that will leave you feeling great.
• Do something you’ve been putting off for a while.
• Try a new recipe (or restaurant).
• Write a letter to someone special.
• Fix something that is broken.
• Tell someone a joke.
• Get a facial, a manicure, or a massage. (Or all three!)
• Go for a walk for at least 20 minutes. Notice the colors, shapes, textures, and sounds around you.
• Write yourself a love letter.
• Help someone who is worse off than you are.
• Have someone read you a story.
• Make a list of 10 things you do great!
• Make a list of 10 things you’re grateful for.
• Give someone in your family a backrub or foot massage.
• Clean out a drawer.
• Play “Hide and Seek” with your family.
• Read or watch something really funny.
• Eat dinner by candlelight.
• Call someone you care about.
• Do something special for someone—anonymously!
• Look at your beautiful self in a mirror. Say “I love you” 10 times!
• Volunteer.
• Do something you used to love doing as a child, something, perhaps, that you haven’t done since.
• Make music! Sing, play an instrument, “drum” on the kitchen counters. Make some noise.
• Do something kind for a stranger (or animal).
• Create more space and simplicity in your life. Go through your attic, garage or closets. Find at least 3 things to give away to someone less fortunate.
• Buy a wonderful card for a special friend. Send it!
• Make your favorite meal or dessert.
• Listen to your favorite kind of music.
• Spend some time on a hobby you’ve been neglecting.
• Send your family to a movie and curl up on the couch with a great book or your favorite movie. (Absolute no chores allowed.)
• Read something uplifting.
• Take a nap with your child.
• Buy yourself a little goodie or toy—just for you.
• Take a bath.
• Take a nap.
• Hug your child, your dog, or your spouse. (Or even all three!)
Excerpt from The Parent’s Little Book of Lists: Do’s and Don’ts of Effective Parenting, by Dr. Jane Bluestein, © 2022, Father Sky Publishing, Albuquerque, NM.
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This post is also available in French.
Related Resource:
8 Ways to Live in Gratitude
15 Ways to Live Optimistically
36 Things You can Do to Feel Great
Dimensions of Gratitude
10 Easy Ways to Show Yourself the Unconditional Love You Deserve by Claire Brummell
Excerpt: Silver Linings: chapter excerpt from the book Magic, Miracles and Synchronicity
Excerpt: Wonder all Around: chapter excerpt from the book Magic, Miracles and Synchronicity
Free download: Angels in Disguise certificate
Free download: The Gift of Service certificate
Podcast: An Attitude of Gratitude with Judy Lawrence, M.S.Ed.
Book: Magic, Miracles and Synchronicity: A Journal of Gratitude and Awareness.
Book: The Perfection Deception: Why trying to be perfect is sabotaging your relationships, making you sick, and holding your happiness hostage.
More ideas: 101 Ways to Get the Goosebumps by Rebecca Lammersen
© 1997, 2012, 2022, Dr. Jane Bluestein
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