HOW TO BE A BETTER PERSON

Can I get an amen for work from home days on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, pj’s still on? It doesn’t get much better than this (other than the actual having to do work, bit)

It’s been a little while and that has a lot to do with February being so busy. Work is crazy and by the end of the day, I am burntttttt out and haven’t had a lazy weekend yet to recover. My head space feels full but as I’m home today, I’m going to try and take it easy.

I haven’t got a huge amount to say, lots of content planned but not a lot of motivation to get it written. In light of recent events, all I can think about is how short life is, how short it is to spend it worrying or sad, jealous or bitter. I’m thinking a lot about how I can be a better person and thought I might share, in case anyone else might feel the same.

See the positive – I actively try to do this. I write in my diary every night and reflect on my week most weeks, I find the things that have made me happy and acknowledge my feelings when I’m not doing so well. When things might be shitty, look for the positive, be grateful, catch yourself when you’re thinking negatively – maybe about yourself or someone else, and turn your thoughts to something good. I appreciate the practise of all of this might feel a bit odd or not worthwhile but I think it’s a big part of how I have gotten through some of the things I have.

Digital detox – I’m sooo guilty of aimless scrolling. Anytime I’m bored or procrastinating or without anything to do, I pick up my phone and scroll through the same news, same posts I’ve seen all day. At the end of the day, I do find it relaxing but it isn’t necessary all of the time and sometimes, fully consumes me. I want to make more of an effort (and its getting easier now that I’m picking up the books again) to step away from digital and find new things to do, be present. Play games, write, read, bake, take a walk. God, maybe I’ll even try and exercise…

Check in more, listen – We’re all so busy and I’m guilty of not checking in on the people in my life as much as I could. Just a text would do, just a ‘how are you?’ or a ‘thinking of you’ each time they pop up. And when you are checking in, truly listen. Sometimes, I know I’m guilty of small talk or zoning out because I have so much on my mind. Be present, take the time and mean it.

Step out of my comfort zone – I recently started back up at a new choir after a year out. I’ve been twice but I know I keep avoiding it because I’m on my own, without friends there and finding it difficult to feel like I fit in. I love the singing part so I’m being stupid for not going but I’m struggling to step out and just say ‘hi’ which is unlike me. Once I’ve overcome that, I think it’ll make me better – I never want to be the person that sees someone on their own and doesn’t acknowledge them.

Stop feeling guilty – I want to do a post about this separately, but I’m constantly burdening myself with decisions I’ve made or feeling guilty for things that I’ve done for myself. It might be something small like saying no to plans because I want to stay in or feeling guilty about something I’ve eaten but also, I’ve let go of a couple of people in the last year. I’ve stepped back from people that weren’t adding value to my life or were causing me stress, some of them haven’t been good people but of course, I still worry about them and feel guilty for blocking them out. It’s not the person I want to be but I think I’m happier for it. How do we juggle that?

Stop making excuses – In order to become a better person, we all have to be willing to make a bit of change. I’m constantly jabbering on about being better but actually, let’s do it this time. Stop making excuses for everything you’re putting off, stop making excuses for your behaviour or for others. Be kind to yourself and just go for it.

Be thoughtful, be kind – Random acts of kindness, smiles in the street, treating the people you love, helping a stranger, sharing kind words, doing something selfless.