Hey love, let’s have a real moment together to build yourself up — no pretending, no pushing things down. Just honesty. If you’re here, chances are you’ve been carrying something heavy. Maybe life hit you with more than you were ready for. Maybe the days feel blurry, the nights feel long, and you’re wondering if things will ever feel okay again.
I want you to know this: you’re not broken. You’re not weak. You’re human. And even when everything feels like it’s falling apart, you still have the power to rebuild — slowly, gently, in your own time.
You don’t have to fix it all at once. You just need a starting point. So let’s begin there. Below are 10 soul-nourishing practices to help you build yourself back up when life feels like too much. Each one is a soft place to land, a way to reconnect with your strength, your self-worth, and your hope.
Let’s take this one step at a time — together.
1. Start Small with Self-Compassion
Before you can build anything, you have to have a strong foundation. That foundation is self-compassion. Treating yourself with the same kindness you’d show a close friend is a big step. Imagine this: if a friend came to you feeling as low as you do now, what would you tell her? You wouldn’t tell her she’s worthless, right? You’d probably hug her, tell her it’s okay, and remind her of all the beautiful things about her.
Start by doing this for yourself. It can be as simple as saying, “Hey, it’s okay to feel this way,” or “I’m doing the best I can right now.” Just these little reminders can bring a bit of softness to your day.
Small Steps You Can Take:
- Every morning, look in the mirror and say one kind thing about yourself.
- Write yourself a letter or note, like you would to a friend who’s struggling.
- Keep a physical or digital journal of kind words, things you like about yourself, or anything nice others have said about you.
2. Surround Yourself with Kindness (Even If It’s Just Your Own)
When life gets to life-ing, it’s easy to think that no one cares. But sometimes, we have to make an active choice to bring kindness into our world.
If you’re not getting support from the people around you, seek out sources of positivity in other places.
Remember, being kind to yourself in small ways every day can help you start feeling that kindness from the inside out. You’re worthy of it, I promise.
Ideas to Bring Kindness into Your Life:
- Listen to uplifting podcasts or watch YouTube videos with positive messages.
- Surround yourself with uplifting books, quotes, or music. Create a playlist of songs that make you feel strong and uplifted.
- Find an online support group or join a community of people who lift each other up.
3. Focus on Your Own Voice
Our inner critic can be loud, right? That little voice in our head telling us we’re not enough, or we don’t measure up. Here’s something that helps: try to turn down the volume on that voice and tune into a gentler one.
You don’t have to believe every thought that crosses your mind. Many of them are just echoes of things you’ve heard over the years, things that are no longer (or maybe never were) true.
You have the power to question these thoughts. Remember, you are the one in control of your thoughts. They don’t control you.
Steps to Tune into Your Own Voice:
- When a negative thought pops up, ask yourself: Is this thought helping me? Is it even true?
- Practice positive affirmations. At first, they might feel silly, but with time, they can drown out those negative voices.
4. Learn to Be Comfortable in Your Own Company
When loneliness strikes, we often start thinking we’re not worth being around. But here’s the truth – you’re pretty amazing company if you give yourself a chance to see it! Getting comfortable being alone can actually be very healing.
This doesn’t mean isolating yourself, but rather, learning to enjoy your own company and appreciating the quiet moments. Try treating yourself to things you’d enjoy doing with a friend. Go to that cafe, read that book, or try that hobby you’ve been curious about.
Ideas for Enjoying Your Own Company:
- Go for a walk somewhere safe and peaceful, like a park or a beach. Bring a book, or just sit and people watch.
- Start a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Maybe painting, knitting, or gardening.
- Write letters to yourself or journal about your day, things you noticed, or things you’re grateful for.
5. Practice Letting Go of Things You Can’t Control
Life can throw us curveballs – things that make us feel hopeless or out of control. It’s easy to let these things eat away at us. But sometimes, we need to remind ourselves to let go of things we can’t change. Imagine putting these worries in a box and closing the lid.
The truth is, some things are just out of our hands, and holding onto them only drains our energy. Freeing yourself from what you can’t control opens space for you to focus on what you can.
Letting Go Tips:
- Write down the things you have no control over, then crumble the paper and throw it away.
- Make a list of things you can control. Focus on those instead by planning with actionable steps.
- Remind yourself each day: “I don’t have to carry the weight of everything on my own.”
Letting go doesn’t mean you’re okay with what happened — it just means you’re choosing peace over carrying the weight of what you can’t change, even if that peace takes time to feel real.
6. Do Small Acts of Kindness for Others (Even Strangers)
I know this might sound strange, but helping others – even in tiny ways – can be a powerful way to lift your spirits. When we’re kind to others, it actually makes us feel good too. It reminds us that we can make a difference, no matter how small.
Easy Acts of Kindness:
- Smile at a stranger or hold the door open for someone. Pay it forward by buying a beverage or meal for the next customer in line behind you.
- Compliment someone on something you like about them. Watch their face light up!
- Do something nice for a friend or family member – even if it’s just a quick text telling them you’re thinking of them.
7. Celebrate Small Wins and Take One Step at a Time
We often think we need to do big things to be able to celebrate ourselves. But wins don’t have to come from grand achievements – they can come from small steps taken consistently. Did you get out of bed today, even though it was hard? That’s a win. Did you make yourself a nice meal? Another win. Celebrate these little moments. Each one is a step toward feeling better and building a stronger you.
How to Celebrate Small Wins:
- Keep a physical or digital journal of daily victories, no matter how small.
- Reward yourself with a little treat when you accomplish something.
- Tell yourself, “Good job,” and mean it. Be proud of what you’re doing, even if it feels small.
8. Spend Time Doing What Lights You Up
When life feels bleak, it’s so easy to forget the things that bring us joy. Try to bring a little of that light back by reconnecting with something you love.
Do you like painting? Gardening? Cooking a nice meal? It doesn’t have to be anything big – just something that makes you feel happy, even if only for a few minutes.
Tips to Reconnect with Joy:
- Make a list of things you enjoy doing and try to do one of them each week.
- Experiment with new hobbies – who knows, you might find something you love!
- Give yourself permission to enjoy things without feeling guilty. You deserve to feel good.
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Sometimes, climbing out of a dark space requires a little outside support. If you’re feeling really low and like you can’t get out of it on your own, that’s okay. Reach out to someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, family member, or a counselor. Talking to someone can lighten your load and remind you that there are people who care.
Ways to Reach Out:
- Send a text to someone you trust, even if it’s just to say, “Hey, I’m having a hard time.”
- If professional help feels right for you, look into counseling options.
- Don’t be afraid to lean on others – the people who care about you want to help.
10. Practice Patience and Give Yourself Time
During tough times, change may not be possible overnight. Be patient with yourself. Progress might be slow, and that’s okay. Every step, no matter how small, is a step forward. This too shall pass.
Tips for Practicing Patience:
- Remind yourself that healing and growth take time.
- Celebrate the fact that you’re here, reading this, and willing to try.
- Trust that the feelings you have now aren’t forever; things can, and will, get better.
Final Thoughts
If life has you feeling like you’re barely holding it together, please know this: you are doing better than you think. Some days, surviving is the win. And that’s okay. Progress doesn’t always look like fireworks — sometimes it looks like brushing your teeth, sending that text, or simply deciding not to give up today.
You were never meant to carry everything alone. You deserve gentleness, joy, and a soft place to land — even if that soft place starts with you.
Every small step you take to build yourself back up matters. And those steps add up, day by day, moment by moment.
So here’s your gentle reminder: You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up.
🌟 Your next step? Choose one practice from this list and do it today. Not because you “should,” but because you’re worth the love, energy, and care it brings.
And if you ever forget your light, come back here. Reread this. I’ll still be rooting for you.You’ve got this. You are needed. You are enough. Always.
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