Compassion For Ourselves

Compassion for ourselves. Being nice to myself, saying positive things and putting things into perspective, listening to my body and what I truly need, and being ok with it all. This has been my focus the last few weeks.

This is one of the most challenging things for many of us, I included. We often zone out, push beyond our limits, not listen to what our body is trying to tell us, and then wonder why we are stressed, overworked, have an injury, or burnt out. We are very negative and say things to ourself that you we would never tell anyone else.

I learned the lesson with my first pregnancy and continued to put those lessons into practice pretty well, but now am reminded fully again with baby number two. Things are harder then they use to be, the thought of a salad is revoking, cheese and tostitos taste really good, and all I want to do is sleep. For those who know me this is not the typical Ashley (well maybe the cheese part:) and it is mentally challenging to take a few steps back.

Here are lessons that I am fully reminded of now that I hope you all put into practice:

• When you are having an off day ask yourself why. Then put that day into perspective (not enough sleep, pregnant, poor eating habits, deadlines, a fight with someone, missed a workout, lack of planning). Once you change the way you are viewing how you feel you can then make the most out of the situation and ultimately how the rest of your day will play out.
• If that workout is feeling extra hard, know that you are doing your best given the circumstances. Be excited that you are still working out and doing the best that you can on that given day. Look at the positive instead of focusing on those negative things. Know that workouts should feel hard, you should be out of breath, your muscles should be burning, and mentally you are stronger because of it.
• If you didn't have the best choice in food know that it is not going to ruin your day and that you will make up for it by doing your best with the meals and snacks to come. Having a cheat meal/snack is actually really healthy. We are humans and will never eat perfectly. What would eating perfect look like anyways?
• If a situation is totally throwing you off take a step back and reflect on what is going on. What things can you take control of and change? What things do you need to let go of?
• Talk so yourself as if you were a child. Tell yourself that it is ok to feel a certain way or that it is understandable, but the reiterate what needs to change. (I do this all the time with Drake who is starting to through tantrums or injure himself by doing something naughty)

Be nice to yourself and see how you bloom!

It is a skill to