Be Kind To Yourself

I admit.... I've forgotten how to be kind to myself. I've forgotten the importance of forgiving myself my inconsistencies, my inadequate efforts, or even that judging my efforts at all is sometimes an exercise in futility. The last several blog posts regarding the beauty of imperfections and the magic of uncertainty have been an exploration in this journey I've had these last few months regarding my one true lost love... love of self.

And maybe, a little, I say that from a place of pure selfishness. And I'm beginning to say it with unapologetic glee. I'm beginning to embrace selfishness, in a way which manifests itself in kindness to myself, whatever that even means. For me, I suppose it means I am allowing myself the freedom to be better and worse than anyone else. It means I get to stop comparing myself, my work, my creative expression, the frequency with which I express myself, to the work and expression of others. It means I get to be okay with my own process and the results of that process.

I encourage each of you, whoever you are reading this right now, to be kind to yourself. To be a little selfish. To untie yourself from your comparisons to others and get off the ride of self-punishment. You are allowed to be you, right now, in the moment, and love yourself for it. You are allowed to be proud of your failures. You are allowed to embrace your imperfections. You are allowed to embody the series of mistakes we all make in our lives, and accept that they make us beautiful.

We are allowed to be kind to ourselves. So I think I'll go eat some chocolate, watch every version of Pride and Prejudice ever put to film, and drink at least two glasses of very very cheap wine. And not, for one minute, feel like I need to make any excuse to justify it.