What are you doing today to stay okay?

I am so glad I set my early alarm this morning and got out to talk and run with a friend. I didn’t realise how much I needed it until afterwards.

There has been (quite rightly) a lot in the media over the past few days about being kind(er) to others. And I say a big “Hell Yeah” to that.

I wonder though, how many of us realise that in order to be kind to others, we have first to learn how to be kind to ourselves?

Storm Denis might be dying down, but over the past couple of days I have felt quite a storm brewing in my head, brought on largely but the frustrations I am encountering as I get to grips with how to parent a pre-teen. I was cross that it was happening, cross that I didn’t have the answers, cross that here is something else I’m not the best at… Fraught and frustrated, I didn’t have a lot of kindness left to give last night - I’m sure my family can vouch for that!

When I have been running on low, I have found that being kind to myself means taking myself off for a run with friend(s). The ability to get stuff off my chest with no judgment is so therapeutic. A lot of drivel spills out my mouth, but in saying stuff out loud, I also work out a lot too. I also find being outside and re-connecting with nature hugely comforting. It gives me perspective. It re-invigorates me.

Today, we talked about the pressures we put on ourselves to be perfect in all aspects of our lives - and how we can feel like we are always failing, never good enough. We shared experiences, compared notes. We talked about the fact that we spend so much time helping and supporting others, we often neglect ourselves. We acknowledged the impact this has on those around us and I committed to writing about how powerful today was.

I got back from my run as a calmer Mum. Surprise, surprise, it had a positive effect on the household too and we spent our time together this morning being and doing our version of “happy”.

This isn’t just about our home life. This is our life. The way we feel about ourselves impacts the experiences we give others in all aspects of our life.

Understanding, and more importantly making time for, the things that enable us to be our kindest and most wonderful self is critical if we are to are to create compassionate homes and workplaces that people want to be part of and where people feel they can thrive.

Running is my way of staying okay. Do you know yours?