Category: Self-Care

Do you appreciate your body? I do not mean do you like how your body looks- I mean do you appreciate everything that your body does for you. It is too easy to take our bodies for granted and not realize how much we are blessed with every single day. Our bodies are what carry us throughout life and allow us to have special experiences! It is important to not focus on how our bodies looks, but to focus on what our bodies can do. Keep reading to learn about different reasons to be grateful for the body you have and how to appreciate your body more every single day!

RELATED: 8 Surprising Benefits of Gratitude and How to Practice Today

What to Appreciate

There are endless things we can appreciate about our body! Here are just a few things that I am grateful about in terms of my body and what it allows me to do!

Legs

You have traveled so far and in many different ways because of your legs. You have run in the park, walked through a museum soaking up knowledge, danced in celebration and maybe even skipped down the street. Your legs have literally carried you through life. When we learn how to walk as babies, no matter how many times we fall down we keep getting up and trying again and again. Our legs help us become fearless and keep us moving forward.

RELATED: Three Reasons to Not  Fear Failure and How to Fail the Right Way

Arms

Take a moment to think about your arms and everything they allow you to do. Your arms allow you to wave and be friendly to a stranger. You hug your loved ones in your arms, showing your care for them. You are able to hold children, maybe even carrying them around with you to enjoy life together. Your arms have helped you to comfort others and create a space safe for people to be vulnerable. You have been able to pull yourself out of bed in the morning because of your arms!

Voice

Your voice has so much power! It is how we communicate with others- how we express our ideas, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Our voice allows us to tell others that we appreciate them and are grateful for them in our lives. Our voice also allows us to stand up for our rights and to let others know that we are not okay. We can use our voice to help those without a voice by volunteering and speaking up for others. We are able to tell stories, our hopes and dreams, laugh, and create deep connections through our voices.

RELATED: Taking off the “I’m Fine” Mask

Hands

Your hands are being used all of the time. I am using mine to write this article right now in hopes of spreading love and positivity. Just before this, I used my hands to create some food to nourish my body. You have held hands with someone to show your support, love, or just that you want to be close with them. Your hands have been used to wipe away countless tears from your face and other’s.  You have used your hands to make a homemade gift or explore the world around you. Our hands are used to spread the love to others and ourselves.

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” Audrey Hepburn Share on X

RELATED: Six Surprising Benefits of Volunteering PLUS Ways To Get Involved!

Constantly Working

Your body is constantly working for you! Even when you are sleeping, your body is working hard. There are billions of cells in your body that are focusing only on keeping you healthy. Your body is fighting off diseases, breathing automatically, handling your blood flow, and making sure your organs are functioning properly. That is definitely something to be appreciative of. Could you imagine if you had to think about every breath that you took? Our body does a lot of work we do not have to worry about so we can enjoy more of our lives!

How to Appreciate Your Body More

1 | Take Care Of Your Body

The best way to show your body that you appreciate it is to take care of it! There are many ways you can take care of your body. Here are some ways to take care of your body every single day.

–Morning Routine. Include some light stretching in your morning routine. Every morning when you wake up, thank your body for resting and rejuvenating itself so you can enjoy the day.

–Evening Routine. Just as you started your day being thankful for your body, you can end your day the same way and even stretch a little more. Every evening when you go to bed, tell your body how much you appreciate what it has allowed you to do throughout the day.

–Stay Hydrated. Hydration is key for your mental and physical health. It only takes 2% of dehydration to impair performances and function of our mind and body. By staying hydrated, we are taking care of everything from our organs to our bones to our blood.

2 | Do Not Compare

Every single person is unique and so is their body. We have all lived a different life and our bodies work in different ways. It can be too easy to compare ourselves to celebrities or to people we see in social media. However, comparing our body to others is the opposite of appreciating your unique body! Think of the personal experiences your body has been part of and how grateful you are to have your arms to hug or your voice to express yourself. Embrace your individual body and celebrate everything it does for you!

RELATED: How To Take Your Social Media From Toxic to Inspirational

Your Body for Life

It is important to not only make peace with our bodies but to appreciate everything our bodies do for us. We have our bodies for life! If we are able to be grateful and show our body how much we love it, our lives will be more positive and peaceful.

What does your body do that you are most grateful for? How do you show your body that you appreciate it? Please comment below and tell me what you think of my article and any thoughts about what your body can do! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Be sure to sign up for my emails and follow on social media to get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear!

Written with love for you,

Brightside Bear  

Continue Reading

While meditation has not been easy for me- it has definitely been rewarding.  After I was able to meditate on a regular basis, I began to notice some benefits. I realized I was less anxious, more patient, able to handle my emotions better and got more in touch with myself. After experiencing some benefits first hand, I decided to look into what research had to say about meditating- and it was wonderful! Keep reading to learn the top benefits of meditation, how to start today, and how to keep up with the practice!

If You Think Meditation Isn’t For You

Trust me, I have felt the same way! Sitting still and being in silence were very foreign concepts to me. I even took a class in college where someone led a meditation and I ended up falling asleep! However, after hearing how amazing meditation is and all of the benefits, I thought my busy mind could use a break. I will admit meditation was not easy to learn at first. It is a “meditation practice” because it is something you continue to learn and adapt into your life. Do not worry if you are not sure if meditation is for you because there are many different ways to meditate. Plus it is wonderful to get outside your comfort zone and learn something new. Especially something that helps you live a happier and healthier life- just read some benefits below!

RELATED: Five Reasons to Start Learning Something New Today 

Benefits of Meditation

1 | Reduces Stress

When you meditate, you are making time for your self-care and mental wellbeing. You are also allowing yourself more space between you and your thoughts. This helps you know what things are worth your energy and attention versus what emotions and thoughts you will not allow to take over. Meditation helps train your mind to deal with stress and be aware of what is happening, increasing your emotional stability, which is huge in stress management. So not only does meditating help reduce the stress you are experiencing now, but also makes you better equipped for future stress that may come up- talk about benefits!

RELATED: Creating Your Self-Care Kit: What You Need Plus Free Printable

2 | Improves focus

Did you know that meditation can help you focus? A study shows that intensive meditation not only helps people focus their attention but also keep their attention- even if the task is boring. Meditation also helps us maintain our focus and disengage from distractions if they occur. Mind-wandering has also been shown to decrease in people who meditate and is is usually associated with worrying thoughts about the past or future and results in being less happy. Meditating helps us live in the present moment- and get back to the present if we do get off track!

3 | Changes Your Brain’s Structure 

Not only does meditation change how your brain is functioning, it changes the actual structure of your brain. The hippocampus area of the brain is responsible for memory, motivation, emotions, and learning while the amygdala deals with stress, fear, and anxiety. In a Harvard study, it was found that eight weeks of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction increased the thickness of the participant’s hippocampus and decreased the volume of the amygdala. These results went along with the participant’s self-reports of decreased levels of stress and improved psychological well-being.

4 | Helps Preserve the Aging Brain

As we age, our brains begin to decrease in gray matter. This leads to cognitive decline, functional impairments and increased risk for mental illness. A study shows “that meditation is brain-protective and associated with a reduced-age related tissue.” People who regularly meditated have less age-related gray matter decline, and essentially a younger brain. Meditation benefits include keeping the mind calm- and the brain young!

5 | Gives You Perspective

You are not your thoughts or your emotions, you are so much more than that! Your thoughts and feelings are temporary and do not need to be in control of everything you do. Meditation has taught me that it is okay to notice these feelings without allowing them to take over. I have noticed that my mind gets angry, frustrated, sad, and anxious from time to time. But, having a meditation practice allows me to get back to the calm and realize these feelings are just passing through.

6 | Improves Relationships

Meditation does not just help you, it helps those around you too! It improves your ability to empathize with others and gets you more in touch with how others are feeling. Being able to better identify your own emotions and talk about them with others is key in relationships! Because mediation also helps regulate emotions, relationships are benefitted from having less expression of anger or other unpleasant emotions. It is wonderful to think about how your meditation is not just helping you, but those around you as well! What a win-win!

RELATED: Taking Off the “I’m Fine” Mask

7 | Reduces Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Meditation also helps our physical health. A study randomly assigned individuals that were high-risk of heart disease to either attend a transcendental meditation program or take a health education class promoting a healthy diet and exercise regime. Throughout the next five years, it was found that participants in the meditation program had a 48% reduction in their overall risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from any cause. The group also reported less stress and anger than the group taking health education classes. Meditation is good for the mind- and the heart!

How Do I Start?

There are many different types of meditations and ways of going about starting a meditation routine. I personally love the app Headspace. Headspace has basic packs to help you get started on your mindfulness journey along with helpful animations to help explain what you will be working on during the meditation. There are plenty of other free apps you can try to get the benefits of meditation. You can also start meditating by just simply sitting in quiet (with your phone off) for ten minutes noticing your breath, repeating a positive affirmation, or even walk and meditate. I appreciated having a guided meditation to help guide me through it and ease myself into meditation! There are other guided meditations you can use and possibly a meditation course or group that meets near you!

RELATED: Learning Tips: How to Succeed When Learning Something New

Tips to Continue the Practice

– Remember your meditation is about you! There is no one formula that works for everyone and you might need some time to find what works for you. Do not be afraid to try out different meditations to see what really helps you.

-Reward yourself! Starting a new habit is hard! It is important to reward yourself for putting in this effort to make a positive change for yourself. Set a goal to meditate for a week straight. After completing your goal, reward yourself with something small or even something that could enhance your meditation!

–Use your habit tracker! You can see how your meditation is impacting your sleep, mood, and day as a whole. Plus, you will be able to check something off of your tracker and feel accomplished!

-Make it part of your routine! Starting your day with a meditation is a wonderful way to be proactive about giving yourself a great day!

RELATED: Morning Routines! Benefits and How To Create A Positive Start Daily

Meditation Benefits for Life

Do you meditate? If so, how? What are some of the benefits you have experienced? Please comment below and tell me what you think of my article and any thoughts about meditation! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Be sure to sign up for my emails and follow on social media to get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear!

Written with love for you,

Brightside Bear  

Continue Reading

Unfortunately, we are still living in a time where mental health and seeking help are highly stigmatized. This can lead to people putting off getting help in the beginning because they do not think they need it or are ashamed. Which can turn into someone getting progressively worse and then wondering if it is too late to get help. The good news is that it is never too late or too early to get the help you want and deserve- keep reading to learn why and how to get help!

If You Think It Is Too Early…

Sometimes we do not think that we need help yet. We have a perception of being able to handle everything- or that we should be able to handle everything. Why wouldn’t we think this when we have a toxic social media feed filling our minds with unrealistic expectations and continuous comparisons? While we can do anything, we cannot do everything. And that is more than okay! We may think that there has to be a big life event or some tragedy in order to get help. That is simply not true. We can get help with anything from having healthier relationships to breaking toxic cycles to being happy with who you are as a person. It is never too early to get help.

If You Think It Is Too Late…

Sometimes we feel so lost and that it is too late to get the help we need. That is 100% false! There is always hope, even if you are feeling hopeless. It has been hard to learn that everything is temporary, but I truly believe this. While the journey to recovery may not be easy, it is a journey that is never too late to start. A great book is Healing The Child Within: Discovery and Recovery for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families (read my review here), which talks about what to expect on your journey to recovery while giving you hope along the way. Every single day is a new beginning and you never know the new opportunities life has in store for you! There is always help available, we just need to find it.

“But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” ― Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Share on X

How to get help?

1 | Know Your Rights

Realizing that you have personal rights and recognizing what these rights are is a huge step in getting the help, support, and love that you deserve. You have rights that are a fundamental part of being a human- rights that you do not need to earn or be deemed “worthy” of. Check out the complete article, Personal Bill of Rights: Acknowledging and Honoring Your Rights here– I even have a free printable with some rights listed for you! You are worthy just because you are you!

2 | Reach Out to Loved Ones

Our loved ones care about us and want us to be able to come to them for help. I know that it is hard to reach out when we are in need. I personally had to work really hard on taking off my “I’m fine” mask– the mask covering up what feelings I had and what I was going through. Then I was able to be honest about what I was feeling as well as what I needed to help. It can be scary to open up, but think about how you would want a loved one to tell you if they were having a hard time.

RELATED: Using A Codeword To Help Your Support Help You

3 | Learn About Resources to Help You

Luckily for us, there are countless helpful resources online that we can use! In my resources for help section, I have a list of different websites, hotlines, chats and apps that can help you in many different ways! For example, HealthfulChat has a wide range of illnesses and conditions with chat rooms where you can talk with peers to be able to share and receive support. You are not alone and there are always resources to help you through it all!

4 | Look into Therapy, Counseling, or Other Treatment

I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy because the essence of therapy is to help you become the person you want to be! If you are currently in school, there might even be a counseling service available to you that is free or less expensive than traditional therapy. I have also gone to group therapy (you can read the top benefits of it here). There are different types of treatment methods and deciding which one is best depends on you and where you are in the recovery process.

RELATED: How to Get the Most Out of Therapy: 10 Tips

5 | Take Control!

Your life is just that- yours. It is up to you to take responsibility and to seek out the help and life that you want and deserve. It can be hard to change your life, but you can do it. A good way to start would be setting up a habit tracker where you can have a goal of filling your days with positive habits such as reading, journaling, being active, self-care, learning something new, staying hydrated, or practicing gratitude. Creating a morning routine and an evening routine could help you more than you think too! I personally love reading books for guidance- you can check out some books that have helped me with reviews right here!

Don't be a victim of circumstances and let life design you. Take an active role and be the one who designs your life.” Unknown Share on X

RELATED: Vision Board: What, How, and Help Making Yours!

Help is Timeless

No matter where you are, there is hope! You are worth the investment to seek the help you need. There is no such thing as getting help too early or being beyond the point of help. Life can be tough, but you are strong. How do you feel about timing in terms of getting help? What has helped you get help before? Please comment below and tell me what you think of my article and any thoughts about getting help! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Be sure to sign up for my emails and follow on social media to get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear!

Written with love for you,

Brightside Bear  

Continue Reading

What do you do to get ready for a nice sleep after a long day? While you might have an evening routine of taking off your makeup, crawling into bed and scrolling on your phone until you fall asleep with your social media app still open – this is definitely not the most beneficial routine for you and your sleep needs. Creating an evening routine seemed strange for me at first because I just thought, “when I am tired I will just go to bed.” But as it turns out, I was keeping myself up with this mindset and tricking my brain into thinking it was still daytime while exhausting myself at the same time. A nighttime routine allows you to transition your body easily from being active and alert to peaceful and ready for a wonderful night’s sleep. Keep reading to find out how you can create a night time routine for yourself, what the best ways to relax and effortlessly fall asleep are, and how to keep up with your routine!

RELATED: Morning Routines! Benefits and How to Create a Positive Start Daily

Starting Your Evening Routine

1 | Set An Alarm to Wind Down

“It is already how late?!” I found myself saying this nightly because somehow the time just seemed to just fly by and before I knew it, it was already past the time I was hoping to be asleep. That was when I realized I needed a reminder of when I needed to start getting ready for bed. I set an alarm on my phone letting me know to wrap up what I was working on and to start allowing myself to wind down. You can even set an alarm for a 30-minute heads up that you will be winding down soon! This simple alarm lets me know that it is time to get out of “work mode” (or just “hanging out mode”) and it is time to allow my body to relax for the rest I deserve.

2 | Put Away Electronics 

Did you know that the blue light emitted from televisions, cell phones, tablets, and laptops prevents the production of melatonin?* Melatonin is a hormone that controls our sleep/wake cycle and the light from our electronics reduces it. This makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Interacting on your phone or sending out emails also keeps your brain alert and does not allow you to get out of work mode. There is some debate about how long you should stay off of electronics before bed but one thing is clear- the earlier the better. Put away your electronics as soon as your alarm to wind down goes off- at least a half hour before bed.

3 | Clean The Day Away

Whether you take a shower, bath, or just wash your face at night, I feel this is the best way to start your evening routine for the fact that it cleans off the day from you! Plus, I have found that the water sometimes makes me feel more awake, so I prefer to start my routine with this and then truly start my relaxation process! Changing into pajamas helps tell your body “we are going to bed now” and gives your brain the cue to go into relaxation mode. Even if you do not have a pajama set (like me), changing into a clean t-shirt for bedtime is still a good cue that lets your body know to get ready for sleep.

4 | Get Ready For Tomorrow

I prefer to have my morning ready the night before. This helps to not have those racing thoughts worrying about tomorrow. Depending on your lifestyle this could mean something different for you but could include: packing your lunch to take tomorrow, laying out the clothes you are going to wear, writing down some things you want to get done, or even having your tea and favorite mug waiting for you on the counter to fill up in the morning. Getting a few things ready the night before will help you feel ready to take on tomorrow and feel like you have officially completed today!

5 | Smell Something Nice

Did you know that smell is one of our strongest senses? Different scents can make you feel more alert or more relaxed. You can light a candle, burn incense, apply scented lotion, use essential oils or pillow spray to help you relax at bedtime. There are plenty of scents to help relax you! My personal favorite is lavender– which calms you as well as reduces morning sleepiness! A calming scent is a wonderful cue to let your brain and body know it is time to relax. I love to light lavender incense and then rub lavender lotion on my hands after I am already in bed. If you use candles be sure to blow them out before falling asleep!

6 | Stretch Your Body 

After a long day, your body has been through a lot! It is nice to show your muscles some love and care by letting the blood flow through them and help release some tension you have built up. Stretching before bed helps relax your body and can also improve your quality of sleep! Not to mention help prevent injury, lower stress levels, and give you more energy for the next day. There are plenty of night stretching routines you can look into for specific areas you carry your tension (mine is usually in my shoulders). There are even stretching routines people have made that are meant for you to do in bed to really get you ready for some sleep!

7 | Relax Your Mind

Reading is by far the best stress reducer and works quickly! In fact, reading reduces stress levels by 68% and only takes six minutes to slow down your heart rate. But, this is not the time to dig into a new mystery novel, studying for your test or read a file for work. It is important to try and read something calming- maybe even a little boring or dry. Get a nice pillow for you to read in bed, a low light that is still calming, and check out what books you can rent from your local library to help you drift off to sleep peacefully.

RELATED: Four Benefits of Reading for Mental Health

Tips For Starting Your Routine

– Remember your evening routine is about you! There is no one formula that works for everyone and you might need some time to find what works for you. Maybe start by looking through your self-care kit to see what you already use to relax!

-Reward yourself! Starting a new habit is hard! It is important to reward yourself for putting in this effort to make a positive change for yourself. Set a goal to do your routine for a week straight. After doing the routine every night reward yourself with something small or even something that could enhance your routine!

–Use your habit tracker! You can see how your new routine is impacting your sleep, mood, and day as a whole. You can also journal about how you are feeling about the routine as a whole.

Evening Routines For Life

Having an evening routine in place helps add more structure to your life, allows you to get the rest you deserve and gives you a peaceful end to your day! What are your thoughts on night time routines? Please comment and share what you think the benefits could be and if you have experienced them yourself! I would love to hear your personal experience and how you like to spend your evenings! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Be sure to sign up for my emails and follow on social media to get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear!

Written with love for you,

Brightside Bear  

Continue Reading

What is your morning routine? While you might be inclined to say that you don’t have one, rushing out of bed every morning to get to work on time or staying in bed scrolling social media for hours are both routines! Humans are creatures of habit. In fact, “approximately 45% of everyday behaviors tend to be repeated at the same location about every day”. While it is scary to think we could be living out a routine filled with poor habits unknowingly, we can get rid of them. Not only that, we can choose to create good habits! How empowering to decide what we will be doing automatically! You can imagine and create your ideal life by thinking how you want to be spending your time, skills to be working on, your goals, and forming habits accordingly.

Creating a morning routine is a wonderful way to not only create positive habits– but to start your day with them! You might think that you do not have the time for a morning routine. But, soon enough you will realize that this routine is only about benefiting you- and the rest of your day! Below I outlined the top benefits of a morning routine plus ideas for you to make a positive start to your day!

RELATED: Evening Routines and 7 Steps to Better Sleep

Morning Routine Benefits!

1 | Proactive About Your Day

When you have a morning routine in place, you are setting the tone for your day. You do not allow the TV, social media, or anything else to determine the day you will have. By filling your morning taking care of yourself and immersing in positivity (keep reading for examples!), you are being proactive and taking charge of your day from the very start. The key is to start your morning routine right away and not allow the outside world to interfere with your emotions first. If you need to sleep with your phone across the room or on airplane mode so you will not check social media right away- that is okay!

2 | Accomplish Your Goals

What do you want to accomplish today, in the next month or in the next year? When you devote time to something every single morning, the time adds up. I have had a goal of reading more books and if I start my day by just reading 20 pages a day, that is already 140 pages for the week I was able to knock out in my mornings alone! Try to learn something new and spend some time every morning devoted to learning. You will be surprised how far you will get by just learning a little every day. You can even use your habit tracker to match certain habits with your morning routine to check them off your list right away!

3 | Avoid Decision Fatigue

Our brains only have a limited amount of mental stamina for decision making. When we have too many decisions to make, we are likely to suffer from decision fatigue which worsens our quality of decisions and exhausts us mentally. By having a morning routine in place we do not need to spend time thinking about what to do next or how to fit something important to us into our busy schedule. Our routine has made these decisions for us and gives us more mental strength for decisions throughout the day!

Ideas For Starting Your Day

We all start the day differently! You do not have to use the examples I have for your morning routine below- they are just some positive examples to help get you started!

–Hydration! Every single morning I am sure to start with my bottle of water! After spending hours sleeping, your body is in need of some water. Plus, since it only takes 2% of dehydration to weaken our functioning, I prefer to stay ahead of the hydration game.

-Move Your Body! You do not need to start every morning with an intense exercise routine (unless you want to). Even taking 10-15 minutes to stretch your body and get the blood flowing is great after laying down all night.

-Reading! Reading has been shown to be the best stress reliever while also benefiting our brain functioning. Check out my complete article on the benefits of reading for mental health here and my book reviews for your next read!

-Inspiration! In addition to reading a good book, you could listen to an inspirational podcast or practice your positive affirmations and meditation. Maybe spend some time looking at your vision board and envisioning the positive life you are creating for yourself.

–Gratitude Journal! It is no secret that I am a fan of gratitude. I take some time each morning to reflect on what I am grateful for and write three things out. By starting my day with a thankful mind, I am able to appreciate my life before my day even begins!

Related: 8 Surprising Benefits of Gratitude and How to Practice Today

Tips For Starting Your Routine

-Make part of your routine something you are especially looking forward to! This will help you want to get out of bed on time to leisurely enjoy your morning routine. Maybe it is that inspirational podcast, some time you take out for drawing, or simply enjoying the quiet morning relaxing.

– Reward yourself! Celebrate that you are taking the time out of your day to better yourself. Right now I am practicing a new morning routine. When I finish 30 days of my new routine, I am rewarding myself with a new item for my self-care kit!

-Use your habit tracker! See what habits you could fit into the morning and you will already be able to start your morning off by crossing positive habits off!

-Do not be afraid to change your routine if it is not working for you and to try something completely different.

-Remember your morning routine is most importantly about you! Take the time you need to figure out what works best and what brightens your day from the start!

Morning Routines Help the Day

I have had times in my life where my routine was rushing out of bed on time, grabbing food out the door and barely catching my breath before the start of my day! After adopting a positive routine, I can see just how important this is for me and building the positive life I want and deserve. My morning routine has helped to empower me and accomplish more than I thought I could- and all bright and early!

What are your thoughts on morning routines?  Please comment and share what you think the benefits could be and if you have experienced them yourself! I would love to hear your personal experience and how you like to spend your mornings! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Be sure to sign up for my emails and follow on social media to get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear!

Written with love for you,

Brightside Bear  

Continue Reading

Life can get hectic sometimes and we can lose track of what is truly important- the little things and tiny moments we have now that bring us happiness. It can be especially hard to focus on those seemingly small things that make us smile when we are going through a tough time. I am a strong believer in looking on the bright side and love the famous quote by Alice Morse Earle, “Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” After reflecting on the good parts of my day, I had an idea to start recording my happiness! Keep reading to see how I designed a calendar for my highlights, what I have learned so far, and to print off your own happiness highlights calendar I made just for you!

What is it?

A happiness highlight calendar is exactly what it sounds like- a calendar that you fill in with something that added a little extra happiness to your day! Make sure you write down something specific to bring you back to that moment of bliss. You can record anything that brought a smile to your face and warmth into your heart! Whether it was a little victory you accomplished or a delicious dessert you made- as long as it made you happy! This past month I have a huge range recorded on my happiness highlights from kind words someone said about my article to finding a penny on the sidewalk and finishing a good book-just to name a few! It is so simple to track your happiness for the month! Plus at the end of the year, you can have a little stack of paper to see what made you smile every single day.

Your Own Happiness Highlights Calendar

1 | Print the happiness highlights monthly calendar I created just for you!

2 | Every day, take a moment to reflect on something that made you smile or brought you some extra happiness!

3 | Summarize your happiness and write it on your square for the day! Take some time to truly relive those moments and replay the events in your head.

4 | Enjoy looking back and seeing something that made you happy every single day of the month!

What I am Learning

The bad does not take away from the good.

This quote by Frazer Hines perfectly summarizes the lesson learned: “The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t always spoil the good things and make them unimportant.”

I have a right to focus on the things that bring me happiness.

Before I have felt unnecessarily guilty for enjoying something in life. By recording my happiness I am reminding myself that no matter what is going on, I have a right to happiness.

Not one thing makes me happy.

Looking back on my calendar there is a wide variety of events I listed as my highlight of the day. I can see that happiness is complex, unpredictable, and can be found anywhere.

Tips

Try to use your happiness highlights calendar DAILY!

It is hard to remember something good that happened last Wednesday- unless you wrote it down last Wednesday night! When we write down our happiness right after it happens, we are more likely to remember the details and build a stronger memory to the event itself. You can even make a space for your happiness highlights on your habit tracker to make sure you don’t skip a day or two!

Keep your calendar for later to reference!

It is all but too easy to forget the “little things” that can bring us such joy! When we have our calendar to reference it is impossible to deny that we do have happiness! You can even keep your calendars in your self-care kit to look at in times of some extra love! Your happiness from the day can still bring you happiness in the future!

Why I love My Happiness Highlights

Your happiness highlights calendar is a simple tool that can show you how beautiful your life is- every single day! When you realize the seemingly small things in life are what brings you happiness, you become more aware of these moments- and enjoy them even more! Gratitude has many benefits and your calendar lists a moment every day that you are grateful for! Your happiness calendar helps to remind you that there is always a bright side!

“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Share on X

What are your thoughts on using a happiness highlights calendar? Please comment what you think of my happiness highlights calendar and if you try it out for yourself! I would love to hear what highlights you find for the month! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Be sure to sign up for emails and follow on social media for the positive world of Brightside Bear!

Written with love for you,

Brightside Bear  

Continue Reading

Perfect. It is something that everyone seems to strive for and even more people seem to be upset by. But perfect is not something we want to be striving for. In fact, I don’t think “perfect” is even possible! When I think of trying to be perfect, I also think of a lot of people who are sacrificing themselves to try and attain something unattainable. While perfect is something that is seemed to be craved by everyone, it is actually harmful to us! Keep reading to learn the four main reasons perfect is damaging and the two things we should strive for instead!

Perfect Skews Perception

When we are focused on having a perfect time or doing something perfectly, even the smallest inconvenience can make us believe that something great is terrible – all because it is not “perfect.” If we are always focused on what can be improved or what could go better, we would miss out on the amazing things that are! Could you imagine if you did not enjoy the sunset because the colors were not how you would have perfectly pictured? You still have a beautiful sunset to look at! When we focus on perfect, it is too easy to not recognize the amazing things we are grateful for and blessed to have!

“Perfect is the enemy of good.” - Voltaire Share on X

Perfect Stops Dreams

The pressure to be perfect has stopped many people from even attempting to try something new or to go after their dreams. The next thing you learn could be your passion, your hidden talent, or the calling you never knew you had. But, if you put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect, you might not try something new or stick with it long enough to keep improving. Did you know that there are seven different learning styles? The learning process is complicated and unique for everyone. If we set our expectations on ourselves to be perfect when trying, we might get too frustrated with ourselves and end up giving up altogether.

Perfect Is Subjective

Take a moment to think about your “perfect” day. What would be considered a perfect day for one person might be an awful day for another. If you asked me my favorite meal a few years ago, without hesitation I would have shouted chicken parmesan and ice cream for dessert! But, now I am a vegan and the perfect meal has changed completely (don’t worry though I still eat plenty of dairy-free ice cream). Just like everything in life, what is deemed perfect is not only subjective but can be changed! So, how do we judge what is perfect and what is not? It is simple, we can’t.

Perfect Is Impossible

The expression itself, “I am only human” says that we make mistakes and are not made to be error free. We might think someone has the perfect life because of the misconceptions on social media, but oh how wrong that is!   Even when the “perfect” new piece of technology comes out it ends up needing a replacement part eventually or the company invents a new and improved model before you know it. For us to be perfect is not only unrealistic, it does not even seem to be that desirable when you truly think about it. There are other things we should focus on instead of trying to be perfect.

RELATED: How to Take Your Social Media from Toxic to Inspirational 

So if we are not going after being perfect what should we be striving for?

1 | Authenticity

Nobody’s perfect! The pressure we feel to not only try to be perfect but to try and seem like we are perfect for others is damaging to us and our loved ones. When we are finally able to let go of this unrealistic idea, we are able to be more honest with ourselves and those around us.  We are able to let our support know that we are struggling and we are able to take off our “I’m fine” mask of pretending, we are finally able to ask for the help, support, and love we might need. When we are more authentic and open to others, they feel more comfortable being authentic and open with us. We are able to realize that we are not alone in our struggles or our fears.

2 | Progress And Gratitude

Instead of focusing on being perfect, we need to focus on our progress and what we have! It is all but too easy to ignore the huge improvements we have been making in ourselves or the big steps we have taken towards our goal. It is important to celebrate our little victories we have and to be proud of ourselves for our hard work! Not only do we need to focus on our progress, we need to focus on what we have. We need to be able to be grateful for everything we have in life, even our blessings in disguise. When we are able to focus on how far we have come in our lives, the progress we have made, and our wonderful blessings, we do not have time to worry if it is perfect- because we are thankful for what we have!

What are your thoughts on trying to be perfect? Please comment below and tell me what you think of my thoughts on perfect and any of yours to add! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Be sure to sign up for emails and follow on social media to get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear!

Written with love for you,

Brightside Bear  

Continue Reading

We live in a beautiful world that is overflowing with adventures, experiences, places to see and things to learn! It is a wonderful time to be alive because there are so many opportunities available to us. We have the ability to do anything! Unfortunately, we might feel the pressure to try and do everything! Do not be discouraged by the fact that we cannot do everything all at once- it is actually a blessing when we realize what this means for us! Keep reading to see why we cannot do everything right now- and how we can still get the most out of life!

Why Can’t We Do Everything All At Once?

There is simply too much to do! It is unrealistic to try and get everything done that we want to right now. There will always be a trip I want to take or a project I want to finish on my to-do list.  Knowing that I cannot do everything is the very first step to creating a life of productivity with less stress-I know that I am not setting unrealistic expectations for myself. I am aware that I cannot focus on everything right now- and I do not have to focus on everything right now! Do not worry though, not doing everything right now actually allows you to get more out of life! Keep reading to find out how to get the most out of your life and how knowing you can do anything but not everything is a blessing!

How Do We Get the Most Out of Life?

1 | Focus on What We Can Do- and Do It!

Every day I complete a “done list.” It is exactly what it sounds like- a list of tasks I have completed for the day!  My done list helps to keep myself on track as well as remind myself that I am actually being productive and to be sure to give myself the credit I deserve. I also have a habit tracker where I track A LOT of habits (print off your free one here!). I see my habit tracker as a list of items I hope to get done every day, but realistically I know this cannot happen every single day and it is okay. It is easy to focus on everything we are not able to get done, let’s try to focus on what we do get done! Plus, when I am recording the tasks I am doing, I am motivating myself to add more items to my done list and check more items off my habit tracker!

2 | Focus on What Truly Matters

In life, we can often feel as if we are being pulled in every single direction possible. Like I said, we live in a world that is overflowing with opportunities and options for us. Our responsibility is to figure out what truly matters to ourselves. We need to focus on what inspires us in life, what gives us new meaning, and what makes us happy. Take some time to journal and reflect on what matters to you. I created a vision board to help with my focus and I have it placed right above my desk!

RELATED: Vision Board- What, How and Help Making Yours! 

3 | Focus On Enjoying What You Are Doing

If you are aiming to get everything done, you will probably end up enjoying nothing. This is because you will be too focused on the next item on your to-do list and move too quickly through life to truly enjoy yourself. Life is about balance and we need to take care of ourselves while we are pursuing our dreams! Jen Sincero has this lovely quote from her book, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life (read my review here!): “Do what you can do in joy instead of trying to do it all in misery.” This quote is reminding us that it is okay to not get everything done, what is important is the journey we are taking.

4 | Do Not Focus On the Unnecessary Distractions

Because we live in a world full of opportunities, we also live in a world full of distractions. Take some time to reflect on what distracts you. Do you have an unhealthy relationship with social media that takes away your precious time? Are you taking on the role of a people pleaser and putting yourself last? Take some time to evaluate your physical space as well. There are many connections between our mental health and a clean space. A clean area and making a cleaning schedule can help you focus more on what is important to you. By getting rid of unnecessary distractions, we are able to spend more time focusing on what matters to us.  

5 | Remember You Can Do Anything

There truly is no limit to what you can do- anything is possible! Do not allow the fear of failure to get in the way of your dreams! When you are learning something new, keep in mind that there are seven different learning styles and everyone learns differently! Be patient with yourself, stay motivated, keep pushing yourself, and do not be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. I have the positive affirmation, “I believe in the person I want to become” on my vision board! It can seem a bit overwhelming to believe that you can do anything, but it is also incredibly freeing!

Enjoying It All

It is important to note that while we cannot do everything, we are able to get more done with help. Do not be afraid to ask a friend for help or to even use a professional service for help with something. Feeling the need of should being able to do everything adds to life’s stress. Open up about your true feelings and be honest with your loved ones about how you feel.  The book Healing The Child Within: Discovery and Recovery for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families has helped me realize that life is about more than getting everything done and it is important to release my very own Child Within (read my review here!). Life is about balancing work and play while trying to enjoy every bit of it. Do not feel the need to do everything and be sure to know you can do anything!

What are your thoughts on being able to do anything but not everything? How has this realization impacted your life? Please comment below and tell me what you think of my thoughts on doing anything- but not everything- and any of yours to add! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Be sure to sign up for my emails and follow on social media to get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear!

Written with love for you,

Brightside Bear  

Continue Reading