FEBRUARY INTENTIONS:
nourishing relationships
Happy February tea lovers! This month we are diving into all things self care, relationship building, and the subtle art of being vulnerable. Relationships are at the center of who we are. Whether they are with a partner, child, parent, friend, co-worker, or even your boss, your most important relationships are worth the time and care you put into them. When you think of the word "vulnerable," you may also think of words like "fear," "uncertainty," or even "weakness." But in all reality, vulnerability is a sign of courage and is often at the center of meaningful human experiences. This month, we encourage you to strengthen your connections through honesty and intentionality, and to make nourishing relationships a priority. After all, sociality is the superpower of the human species!
Grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and check out our tips for nourishing relationships this month.
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TAKE TIME TO YOURSELF.
When it comes to relationship building, the first step is to get in touch with yourself. Take some time to practice self care, to slow down, and to show kindness to yourself. This gives you an opportunity to reflect inward and accept your own shortcomings, while allowing time to mull over your own challenges and emotions more objectively. Here are three easy ways to decompress and get in the right headspace:
1: Dedicate quiet time to think and be honest with yourself, so you can be honest with others. Admit what you don't know, when you need help, and when you feel ugly emotions like guilt, fear, or jealousy. Acknowledging the roots of your emotions can help you know how to approach the people in your life in an honest and vulnerable way. You may be surprised at how well loved ones will respond to raw honesty when you approach them with authenticity and a willingness to overcome.
2: Write it out. Anything and everything. A poem, what happened during your day, what you wish for. Anything! This can help center you and encourage objectivity.
3: Do something just for you: Take a walk, listen to your favorite song, or take a bath. Taking a bath can actually change the way your body processes anxiety. As your body increases in temperature, your brain will release those feel good chemicals. Baths also give you some private time to think and just be.
All of these activities are best practiced without a cell phone present; cellphones are often our biggest self-care time thieves.
BE THE MOST POSITIVE PERSON YOU KNOW
Being positive is probably the most important thing when it comes to taking care of yourself and your relationships. Positivity is not only attractive, it is also super influential. If you have a positive mindset and attitude, people will often reciprocate and be more open to what you are saying! After all, the energy we put out into the world is the energy we get back. Being positive is not about staying upbeat and cheery all the time - it's about having a resilient response to challenges. Here are three easy ways to practice positivity:
1: This one might seem uncomfortable at first, but look in the mirror and point out 3 positive things you like about your physical body and 3 positive things you like about your personality. Positive self talk gives you that extra boost on confidence that you can carry over to the relationships in your life.
2: Look for silver-linings. If something discouraging happened at work or with another person, the best thing to do is acknowledge what happened, and look for the opportunity hiding in the misfortune. Instead of fixating on the problem itself, focus on the solution for next time or how you were able to grow from the experience.
3: Spend time with people that actually make you feel good. If you feel drained and down after spending time with a specific person, recognize that that person is probably not a good person to spend your time with. Some people invigorate your energy, brighten your mood, and inspire you to grow - choose to be with those people.
QUALITY TIME IS KEY
Make nourishing relationships a priority. Most of us feel busy with work, home, and family, and it is easy to push aside our need to nourish our relationships, but the end of the day life is about relationships. Devote a portion of your day to let those close to you know that you see them as a priority, and to reinforce that belief within yourself. Time is very valuable, so showing the special people in your life that you are willing to make time for them goes a long way! Here are a few tips to help you show how much you care:
1: Communicate. Just sending a text in the mornings to wish your loved ones a good day at work or school can nourish your connection and let your people know that you care.2: Choose a day every week to spend time with your people. Establishing a routine is rewarding and beneficial to your mental health. Go on a walk, get drinks, have a tea together, you name it - just be consistent and stick to your plans.
3: Offer to help. Offer a ride to the airport, help a friend with a home project or offer advice or resources for a work-related challenge. We often feel the most connected when we realize how much stronger we are together.
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