02 the words we say to ourselves
Otsukaresama.
One of my favourite phrases in Japanese.
Thank you for your hard work today.
(I wish we had a simple, catchy and easy to say word that encompassed all that in English too.)
Otsukaresama.
How often do we say that to ourselves?
How often do we acknowledge or recognise ourselves for all that we have done for today, or in our lives leading up to this moment?
We are an accumulation of all our experiences in life.
Every emotion, every experience, every thought.
Our bodies have experienced it all and our responses and ways of coping have built us into who we are today.
Simply acknowledging that, is an act of kindness and love to ourselves.
The way we speak to ourselves forms the basis of our relationship with ourselves.
Speaking kind, gentle, compassionate words. The way we would to someone we love and cherish.
Speaking this way to ourselves changes everything.
A simple way to practise this would be to speak this out loud to yourself as you do your self-massage.
With gentle strokes, take the time to give thanks to your body that has worked hard all these years of your life, bringing you to where you are today.
“Thank you for your hard work today, and always.”
Whenever I say that to myself, something deep inside of me softens. There is less tension. More gratitude.
A self that is loved, nourished, acknowledged and affirmed through repeated acts and words of kindness, is a self that is nurtured with love.
Can you imagine yourself 3 months… 1 year… 5 years from now, with this simple practise of saying ‘thank you’ to yourself for a few moments every day?
What are some words you always wish to hear from others that you can already tell to yourself?
Our words shape our reality. They have the power to change and uplift our mood. It is a really beautiful and simple way in which we can give ourselves the care, love, attention that we need for the day.
Let me know how you feel after you’ve tried this simple phrase out :) And what words most resonate with you as you do your self-massage.
xoxo
