1317: Do something tiny for future you
Today we're diving into the importance of micro acts of kindness towards ourselves, and how they can bring a bit more ease into our lives!
Episode transcript:
Good morning, Daily Peppers, and a very happy Wednesday to you. It is hump day, and I'm popping in with a reminder to be kind to yourself on a micro level. So years ago, I found the quote on a calendar, and it is a question that asked, what would your future self be grateful for? And it is one of my favorite questions because we are so much better at being compassionate to our future selves than we are to our present selves. But one of the ways I think we can get caught up is thinking of it on a huge level and almost getting existential about it, thinking about it in terms of what regrets you might have and what big decisions you need to make to satisfy your future self. But I think we miss out on so much if we disregard the tiny things that we do. And this is what got me thinking about it. So I'm insulin dependent, and I have to inject myself with insulin quite a few times a day. And each time, I need to screw on a new needle.
And every time I go to inject myself and I've already pre changed the pen, it's just a nice surprise. It's one less thing I need to do in a process that isn't that fun anyway, and it just make things a bit quicker and a bit easier. Now that is a tiny, tiny example, and purposely so because it can make a huge difference. And when you have a couple of things that you have to do every day, you make a tiny bit easier for yourself the next time. You really do start noticing the difference. And it also becomes muscle memory, and it becomes something you do on autopilot. We all have so many things that we need to do every day and so many micro decisions. And I think one of the really tangible ways that we can practice kindness and compassion to ourselves, especially like to a lot of us around here that doesn't come naturally, is by doing these really super small things.
It's so easy to get lost in future tripping and think about our future selves way down the line. But it can be pretty powerful asking yourself, okay. What does this evening version of me need? What would I be really grateful for having done for myself tomorrow morning? And again, this is not about getting shit done and being super productive. It's not about optimizing every single part of your life. It's just doing little things that show that you give a shit about yourself, that future you will appreciate and make life a bit easier. And to strip it back to its bare bones, what can you do that future you will just have that moment of yay? Because we do not have that enough. Have a think about this as you go about your day. Start super small.
You can build it up to where you want it to be. It doesn't have to be exactly where you want it to be to start off with. Try and start so small that it feels like cheating and give it a go. I hope today provided you with some unexpected joy, and I'll see you tomorrow.
Transcription produced by Castmagic.io
ABOUT THE DAILY PEP! PODCAST
A short, snappy and sassy daily podcast to keep your internal - and external - dreamshitters at bay!
The Daily Pep! is the rebel-rousing, daily podcast for couragemakers, creative, multi-passionate and unconventional women.
If you’re surrounded by people who don’t get who you are or what you do, if you want reminders you’re on the right path (no matter how scary it feels), or you’re sick of being your very own worst enemy, this is the podcast for you.
Every weekday, your host - writer, coach and professional rebel-rouser - Meg Kissack helps you build a creative and wholehearted life, one day at a time. Through short and snappy insights, reminders and stories, The Daily Pep! is here to remind you you’re not alone, and that everything changes when you believe you matter. Each episode is short and snappy, designed to fit in with (or help you start) your habits and routines
MORE REBEL-ROUSING THIS WAY!
