The Concept of Self // 5 Easy Habits

In the past 2 years after going through a tough period, I started looking within. I didn't want validation for the sake of it, I didn't want support from external sources when my internal foundations were weak as it is nor did I wish to most importantly find happiness in others without first finding it within myself. We've always been advised to take steps towards self-love, self-care and self-awareness but as I started on my journey towards discovering the concept of self in my life, I found myself lost and unable to find stories of others who had similar lives as me. 

Hopefully, what I've experienced with different tools, products and habits I list here will help you towards reaching the best self you can be! Sending love as usual, read on.

HABIT #1

Listen to yourself

That little voice you hear but always push away? It's time to start listening to it. All the uncomfortable times you smiled and brushed aside are all the times you disregarded your self in favour of others. 

Start by:

Acknowledging your feelings

Telling others about it 

Coping and self-reflecting 

HABIT #2

Hang out with yourself

Most people find this disconcerting when they first start and they don't usually know where to begin. We've been conditioned to not treat ourselves as if we didn't know we could be the best company we could ever have. But we are, my friends! If you don't want to hang out with yourself, what makes you think other people will want to?

Start by:

Discovering your interests (if you haven't already)

Going for something fun alone

Travelling overseas alone

HABIT #3 

Meditate

This is something I would have wrote off if you'd asked me to do this outside of yoga years ago but I can't tell you how much meditating has helped me. I don't mean I want you OM-ing everywhere you go but simply closing your eyes while focusing on your breathing when facing a tough situation will help you immensely.

Start by:

Observing your reactions to situations

Knowing when you need to stop and breathe

Putting that into action every single time you face a difficult situation 

HABIT #4

Taking steps towards self-improvement

Before I started, I had no idea where to turn to for information I could use towards having a better day, better self, better relationships, etc. besides Google and we all know how unhelpful that can be. Personally, I've found that Podcasts help a ton! Listening to them while I get ready for the day has brought so much new information and I try to keep the tips I learnt throughout the day. Besides Podcasts, there's also Headspace (a meditation app) that helps especially when I'm having a really rough day.

Check out Optimal Living Daily here and Headspace here. 

Start by:

Finding outlets that work for you

Making habits out of them 

Using them outside home

HABIT #5

Write down what you're grateful for each day/week

Even if you don't write this down, mentally thinking back about your day is already a self-reflection in itself. When recalling your day, think through towards the highs and lows. What could you have done better? What were the highlights of your day and your role in them? Did you put to action the things you said you would? How did you treat yourself? How did you treat others?

Start by:

Setting aside 5 minutes each day before you sleep to think about your day

Being grateful for the things you did well! 

Mentally taking steps to improve the next day

Making sure you forgive yourself and others for your as well as their mistakes

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Gentle Suggestions // August

Another month is yet again coming to a close...August was a month for getting back into the groove. I started yoga again, I worked hard to get certain jobs/grades/friends and I felt even more empowered in life than before. (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was also released for my fellow Potterheads out there! *secret happy dance*) August is coming to an end so I thought I'd do an early roundup of a few gentle suggestions (as compared to monthly favourites).

First up is a brand I've been dying to share. It's not a new find, it's not an old find either but the brand is such that it never goes out of style.

BRAND SUGGESTION: Cool Enough Studio

"We create products that reflect our lives."

Cool Enough Studio is a South Korean lifestyle store that draws inspiration from practicality and ordinary objects resulting in spectacular designs that is making waves across the consumer market. I have been lusting over their products for a good 1.5 years now until I finally got my hands on "The Mirror" on one of my trips to South Korea last year! Small as it is, it is incredibly useful for the application of lipstick and the occasional pimple...

You can shop here.

(Pictures by Cool Enough Studio)

BOOK SUGGESTION: Fishbowl by Bradley Somer

This gem of a find was such a page turner...It ponders the meaning and connections in and about life through the eyes of a goldfish as it falls from the 27th floor. Fishbowl is hilarious, triumphant and "philosophically joyful" (as the summary aptly describes). It also helps that the goldfish joins you on your journey through the book falling down the side of the book pages as you read! This is Bradley Somer's debut novel and I cannot wait to see what else he writes.

HABIT SUGGESTION: Speak Intentionally

"Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it."

Even though fictional (but let's face it, he's real to us Potterheads), Dumbledore knows what's up. Speak intentionally, listen attentively and choose wisely. It is foolish and unbecoming of our intelligence otherwise. 

I hope you enjoyed the first of many monthly gentle suggestions on Willow...let me know in the comments what your favourites were, how your month was and what you'd like me to share on in my next monthly suggestions. Thanks for staying!

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