Bodies Unfiltered

By Kat K.

I honestly feel like I have no idea what I am doing. On a daily basis, in general, and all the time. It feels like everyone around me has a direction, something guiding them towards success, but I can’t seem to get myself on track. I know what I like, I know what I don’t like, but I have no idea what I should do to achieve the life I want. 

So I am going to start doing things, everything and anything. I am going to write until I literally cannot think anymore. I am going to go on walks outside and allow nature to help me heal. I am going to take showers even when I don’t want to and not leave dishes in the sink every time I cook. I am going to take a nap when my body is tired even if my brain is telling me I haven’t been productive enough. I am going to take care of myself and do what I want to do, because I am enough and my life is enough.

I have to work to support myself, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get to enjoy my life. That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do what feels right to me and do everything I can to be happy, because I deserve it. You deserve the happiest life too.

For days you don’t feel like enough, or if you never feel like enough, here are some reminders to come back to. 

1st Reminder: You Can Rest Without Earning It

Productivity culture has conditioned us to think that we need to work hard in order to earn a few days of rest. Rest shouldn’t be a reward, it is a right. Bodies and minds need rest, without it they fail to function. Resting is a part of living, healing, and growing, not a reward in which hours of work are required. 

2nd Reminder: You’re Not Behind

It is easy to get caught up comparing yourself and your life to others that seem to have it all. Social media makes comparing so much easier. Seeing only the best parts of everyone else’s life can create an illusion that your life is worse because it doesn’t look like what is pictured. Or it can convince you that others’ lives are better than they really are. It is hard to train our brains to constantly remember that posts on social media are curated for the viewer and not always depictive of reality. It is important to remind yourself that no matter where other people are in their lives, you are exactly where you need to be.

This act of comparison is stealing your peace and compromising your ability to feel content. Your life is uniquely beautiful, and just like how you might be comparing yourself to others, others might be comparing themselves to you. You are not behind, you are in the middle of a fun, sometimes stressful, but rewarding journey with no specific destinations. Everyone lives on different timelines and there is no such thing as being behind on your own.

3rd Reminder: You Are Not Your Bad Days

Having a perfect day, or even a good day, everyday, is impossible. There are bound to be days that just don’t go your way, but that doesn’t define who you are. Having a bad day doesn’t mean you have a bad life and it does not mean you are a bad person.

4th Reminder: You’re Not Failing Because You Need Help

It can feel vulnerable to ask for help, but it should be encouraged. Asking for help could be the difference between living the life you want and continuing to feel stuck. Rome was not built in a day, and it also wasn’t built by one person. Creating a beautiful, fulfilling life typically involves receiving help from others. Whether that is life advice, financial help, or someone to watch your pets every once in a while, everyone needs help throughout their life. Receiving help and helping others is a beautiful thing that forms relationships or communities and helps everyone succeed. Asking for help is normal and respectable, even if it feels scary sometimes.

5th Reminder: You Are Enough, Even When You Don’t Feel It

Sometimes it takes an outside voice to remind us that we are enough, so I am here to tell you: You are enough! Even if you don’t feel like it, everything that you are is enough and you don’t have to change or be someone else to be loved, seen or heard.

You matter and bring value to this world just by existing. Your presence makes an impact and you don’t have to earn your place in this world. You have the right to take up space and exist just as you are because the world is a better place with your authentic self in it.

Self-Love Reminders When You Need Them

Bookmark this post to come back to when you need it or if you want help feeling like the amazing person that you are. You don’t have to feel 100% all the time, but this is a reminder that you are already everything you need to be.

It is completely okay if simple reminders aren’t enough to help your mind during difficult times. Visit our Mental Health Resources page for some information and links to organizations that can help when you need it.