"It's dark because you're trying too hard. Lightly baby, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, it feels light even though you feel deeply. Just let things happen and deal with them lightly." - Unknown author
You have an interesting 30-day challenge ahead of you, in which you will become more gentle with yourself. In it you will relax your body, senses, emotions, blockages in your body and learn about your spiritual connections.
Your body and senses
For the first 10 days, you must be gentle with your body and awaken your senses to the soft, luxurious feeling of everyday life.
Day 1: Close your eyes and stroke something soft
Feel your hair, cheeks, velvet coat or satin pajamas. Just close your eyes and honor all this softness in your heart.
Day 2: Savor every bite of your meal without distraction
Choose a meal and eat it in silence. Just focus on the rich explosion of flavors in your mouth and feel the textures spill over your tongue. Do the same with drinks.
Day 3: Listen to your favorite music first thing in the morning
Music is the biggest bringer of good, happy feelings. Listen to your favorite tune first thing in the morning and watch how the music sets your day.
Day 4: Inhale the scent you love
It can be the smell of food, of rain, of a scented candle. Does this remind you of any place? A person? Does it give you a sense of security or excitement?
Day 5: Create your own piece of abstract art
You may be the worst artist in the world, but try to have fun with it. You draw a large blue circle in the yellow square and call it abstract, if that suits the artist in you.
Day 6: Choose the sport you want to try and try it out
Different body types need different exercises. Not everyone goes to the gym or runs. Some thrive in tennis, yoga, dance. Choose what suits you. Go after something you're interested in, maybe just today, but give it a try. You can still change it later.
Day 7: Cook your favorite food or if you don't want to cook, order it
What food fills you with pleasure? A piece of cake? Get it today.
Day 8: Drink more water than usual
Water relieves stress. If you want, you can add a slice of lemon, a mint leaf or a piece of cucumber.
Day 9: Apply some extra moisturizer to the part of your body that needs a little extra love
At least one of the body parts needs more moisture. Maybe it's your hands, legs, feet, face or stomach. Give that body part some extra love.
Day 10: Take a long bath
Stay in the bath for 10 extra minutes and feel that warm water on your skin. If you want, you can apply a hair mask or exfoliate at that time.
Your emotions and blockages
Negative or repressed emotions rob you of peace. These challenges are aligning your emotions and removing blockages that block your path to tenderness.
Day 11: Ask yourself what you need this day, not once - ask yourself twice
During the day, spontaneously ask yourself what you need. Sometimes the answer can be water or food, but sometimes it's peace, love or a walk. Give yourself what you need.
Day 12: Watch a funny video that makes you laugh until your stomach hurts
Laugh. You will feel better no matter how you felt before.
Day 13: Call the most loving person in your life
When we are around certain people, our energy rises. We know they only want the best for us. No jealousy or comments to make them feel better. Call that person now.
Day 14: Buy something you've always wanted
Did you want a book? Or a dress? Or bright yellow shoes? Spoil yourself a little.
Day 15: Clean up a small part of your personal space
Choose a small piece, such as a bookcase, a desk, a kitchen or a closet. Unnecessary items can be donated or recycled. Your mind and emotions will also be closed by the end of this exercise.
Day 16: Do something you've always wanted to do
Whether it's writing a song, running a marathon, climbing a wall, take a small step towards that dream today.
Day 17: Tell someone you love them, directly or indirectly
It's not always easy to tell someone you love them. Maybe send a text and ask them how they're doing, or tell them you miss them.
Day 18: Write three strengths on the things you don't like about yourself
What don't you like about yourself? Is your ambition too high? Or the hips? Whatever it is, take a moment to write three advantages about this perceived deficiency.
Day 19: Decide to let someone out of your life
We tend to cling to negative people, either because they are related or have been with us through hard times. If you are unhappy and insecure around them, you need to decide to take the step and let them out of your life. You will feel free.
Day 20: Don't push yourself forward
Have you pushed yourself to do something you don't like? You tell yourself that you need to eat less, exercise less, or do less laundry. Don't do it today. Just keep the day simple, let it go.
Spirituality
In the final round of the challenge, we will connect with the past and strengthen our spirit so that our determination to be gentle is long-term.
Day 21: Write down everything that comes to mind for 15 minutes
You can do this online or on paper. No one will read this. Empty your mind and see how it makes you feel. Did you unlock your mind while writing?
Day 22: Close your eyes and listen to your heart for five minutes
Take five minutes to just listen to your heart or breathing. If your mind wanders, let it wander and wonder. Listen to what is happening inside you.
Day 23: Awaken your inner child and let it play
Think of childhood passions. What was your childhood dream? Did you like to sing, jump in puddles? Why not do these things now?
Day 24: Choose one wrong decision and forgive yourself completely
Believe that you did the best you could given the past circumstances. If you have hurt someone in the past and have not apologized to them, call or send them an apology.
Day 25: Say hello to a stranger
When we meet strangers, we realize that we are all more alike than different. Say hello to a stranger, comment on a post by someone you don't know.
Day 26: Look out the window
Go to the balcony or look out the window. Notice the trees, the leaves changing color, the neighbor's cat laughing at you from the roof, the wind playing with things...
Day 27: Help someone
It is not necessary in financial. Listen to someone. Give the gift of a smile. Hug your baby.
Day 28: Think back to the day you rose from the depths of despair
Has your heart been wounded? Betrayed by a friend? You're ok now, you survived, right? Trust that you will also survive everything that life will bring you in the future.
Day 29: Feel gratitude for 10 things and/or people in your life
Feel the gratitude in all your peaceful grace. Thank you for the little things and the big things in life. I guarantee that with the energy of gratitude, your energy level will rise.
Day 30: Promise yourself to be gentle with yourself, because you deserve it the most!
Congratulations! You have completed 30 days of practicing gentleness to body, emotions and spirit. Promise yourself today that you will be gentle with yourself every day - because you are worthy of all the softness and tenderness in the world.
Being gentle with yourself in a world that constantly besieges you with high expectations is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
