This month has been rough for a lot of us. I allowed myself to be in my sadness.
I have learned that what helps in moments of heartache or anxiety or fear is disconnecting from the thing that is making it worse (hey, breaking news alerts), focusing on my breath, slowing my heart rate, and finding a source of gratitude.
Gratitude is a balm. Scientifically-proven.
But it seems the things we give thanks for most are often outside ourselves — our family, our kids, a warm home, a beautiful meal.
Today, find one thing you love about yourself that you are grateful for:
Your softness. Your tenacity. Your empathy. Your creativity. Your heart. Your values. Your resourcefulness. Your openness. Your resilience. Your loyalty. Your faith. Your imagination. Your idealism. Your wisdom. Your fire.
Whatever it is, it is an essential part of what makes you, you. More than that, it is what makes you proud to be you. So name it.
Now make a promise to hold onto it. Celebrate it. Protect it. Write it down if it’s helpful and tuck it away somewhere.
We talk a lot about fighting for the people we love and the issues we care about.
Let this be a gentle reminder — for both of us — not to forget to fight for ourselves, too.
Liz Gumbinner is a Brooklyn-based writer, award-winning ad agency creative director, and OG mom blogger who was called “funny some of the time” by an enthusiastic anonymous commenter. This was originally posted on her Substack “I’m Walking Here!,” where she covers culture, media, politics, and parenting.
Header image courtesy of the author.