Treat Yourself Kindly

Hello kind krafters!
 
      While reading and keeping myself informed with all the amazing work that kind krafts does as well as talking with my fellow youth ambassador about volunteer ideas for the upcoming school year AND keeping up with summer work, teaching lessons as well as the busy life of friends, family and planning for the future, things can get busy!
    I am someone who loves to be involved, positive and constantly on the go. With this being said, sometimes it’s important to take a step back and reflect on our own well being.
      Self love is something we sometimes put on the back burner but in order to put our best foot forward in the community it all starts with ourselves.
 
What are the benefits of self care and self love?

• Motivation and Healthy Habits - self love and self care promotes routines and motivation in everyday activity. Healthy habits and routine and feeling motivated creates a positive atmosphere, productivity and, outlook with everything you do. Showing love for yourself helps you put more energy into everyday life.
• Mental Health Improvements - Taking better care of yourself and remembering to put yourself first is a great way to keep negative thoughts out of your life. Learning to care and love yourself little by little can really be a great stepping stone for those who struggle with many forms of mental health struggles.
• Confidence - Working on yourself really makes you build your confidence. Trusting in yourself and your abilities to achieve can really change your mindset and create opportunities. Feeling confident in the way you look, speak, act and feel can make a huge difference!
• A Happier Life - Everything that happens around you and how much happiness you get out of life ultimately starts with you! Giving yourself the appreciation you deserve will create happiness and positive energy within your life and others as well.

How do I practice self care?
        
         Self care comes in all shapes and sizes but here are some things I like to do to practice self care!
 

• Exercise - I have always loved being active and have played sports all throughout school and have continued exercise routines into University. The gym is truly a happy place for me and a great way to sweat out some stress! A great and sweet friend of mine recently introduced me to kickboxing and it has been a great experience so far. Work hard, feel good!
• Music - Music has been an escape from reality for me for such a long time. If it is listening or playing, music has always given me peace of mind. Music is a huge part of my life and I have met many of the most important people in my life through music. Music always helps me reflect on myself and puts a smile on my face.

Acadia Wind Ensemble Concert

• Hot Bath - A hot bath or shower with bubbles, essential oils or any Lush product, is one of my favorite ways to unwind and relax.
• Cup of tea and good conversation - Tea (a weakness of mine) with my own company or with a loved one is always a low stress activity that always makes me feel great.
• Reading - Keeping up on kind krafts causes, world events, personal reads, articles involving school or online bloggers is a great way to escape from hectic everyday life.

Just Us!, Wolfville NS

• Surrounding myself with people I love - My super supportive friends, family and boyfriend are always there to help me when I am down and really motivate my self love and care routines.
• Ice cream - It solves all problems…. Doesn’t it?

Sydney Maclennan Photography

Self love is different for everyone!
 
         Don’t forget, self care and appreciation doesn’t happen overnight. Any little step toward taking care and appreciating yourself is something to be extremely proud of and everyone practices self care differently. It is okay not to be okay. Find something that works for you and makes you happy and pursue it! Self care is not selfish.
 
“If you don’t love yourself how the hell you gonna love somebody else” - RuPaul
 
 
Take some time for yourself and continue the awesome work here at Kind Krafts!
 
Until next time,
Amy Cameron.