Happy Friday everyone!! I have to admit that I have been beyond busy the last two weeks. In transitioning to not only a new hospital but a new role in Nursing ( med/surg to critical care…YAYYY!! ), my schedule has been a little challenging. Nevertheless, I am so happy, eager and ready to learn all I need to know in order to be a great Nurse to my critical patients.

Ironically for the last 2.5 weeks, I have been pounded with the message of not being “too hard on yourself and loving yourself”. I am known for being too hard on myself in situations, not because I think less than highly of myself but because I strive for the best and always want to be #1. I am the first to admit, I can be competitive at times! When I don’t reach a certain goal or obtain a certain reward, I think of things I could have done better and beat myself up. The older I get, the more I see this as a flaw in myself.
So, in orientation 2 weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the director of pastoral services at my new hospital that gave a great speech about being good to others as well as ourselves. He talked about how we have millions of thoughts daily and majority of them are negative thoughts against ourselves. He gave examples of how when we first wake up and look in the mirror we say to ourselves “Boy,do you look a mess”. Then it continues to “I look fat in this outfit” and “I’m running late, how could I have been so dumb to oversleep”. When you really think about all the things we say to ourselves, we can be unkind at times. Not intentionally but we are our worse critics. If someone states they have Never done any of this, I would probably be concerned.

He gave us an exercise to do where he held one participant’s arm out and started pushing down on his arm. Of course the person was strong and able to push back with ease. Then he told the person to repeat “I am weak,I am weak” 30 times in which the person did. After the negative repetition, he tried again to push his arm and crazy enough, he was unable to push back as strong as before. Such a simple exercise showed just how thoughtful I can be to others but how mean we can be to ourselves. Of course, we all have times where we praise ourselves internally and externally but for the most part on a daily basis we can constantly find things wrong with ourselves without even realizing it. YES, I am guilty of this! If perfect was possible, I would be in the running for it! He then talked about just doing simple things to others by saying “hello” when you pass a person or giving a smile to a person walking towards you. How many times have we avoided a look from a person by looking down on our cellphones in order to not speak. Lets all admit our guilt! You never know how a person could yearn for just a smile!
I internally thanked the presenter for sharing such great words and exercise and wanted to personally thank him however just as fast as he came in, he left before I could break out. I plan to look up his name in our company directory and send a anonymous “thank you” card soon!

With all that you have read, I have decided to do two things. One of these things is something I usually do but have not had the chance. I usually post positive messages in my bathroom for myself and place them on my mirror. Unfortunately, since I have moved into my place a couple months ago, I have failed to post anything. I will definitely do this, this weekend.
My FIRST challenge to you is …. POST something good and positive about yourself as we reminder. Whether on a refrigerator, in a closet, in your bathroom mirror, or somewhere secure like in a book or work bag. It could be anything from ” I am beautiful and loved by many” or “I am Awesome and beyond blessed!”. Whatever works for you, make it work!!

Second challenge , do something for yourself! Whether it is buying a new outfit, getting a manicure/pedicure combo ( my favorite), taking yourself out to dinner or something inexpensive like making a bubble bath and relaxing. As long as you schedule out a moment and do something for yourself in the next couple of days. No one can love you better than YOU!

Enjoy the challenge and I will post my own a long with another challenge I have coming soon. Remember to follow my Instagram for updates!
Instagram: @kindlykarmalized with hashtag #ItsALLaboutME

Peace!