This is the time of year we think of being generous to others.  We want to be generous to charities, our friends, and families.  We may give generously of our time as well.  But, are we ever generous to ourselves?

A very good friend of mine brought this up to me the other day.  She gave me a few Lush bath bombs (which are super luxurious bath treats if you have never used them before).  And, she told me not to hold on to them, but to actually USE them soon.  She knew I was going through a rough time with my Mom, who has dementia.  And, she also knew me well enough to know I would put them aside and save them for a special occasion.

She was so right.  I can save the bath bombs for a special occasion (that may never come), or I can make today feel like a special occasion by using one of them.

How often are you generous with your time to other people (which is a totally wonderful thing to do), but not in giving yourself time to do the things you really want to do?

Are you generous with compliments to others but stingy (and downright mean) to yourself?

Do you generously overlook other people’s failings but magnify your own?

Do you save the “good stuff” because you somehow feel you aren’t worthy of it?

Well, all of that can stop today.  Once you are aware of what you are doing, you can begin to be more generous with yourself.

How to be More Generous with Yourself – Today

(1) Give yourself time to do the things that matter to you.  If you are waiting on someone else to give you permission, you may be waiting a LONG time.

(2) Be generous to yourself with compliments and end negative self-talk.

(3) Allow yourself plenty of grace when you make a mistake.

(4) Stop saving the good stuff – clothes, candles, dishes, stationary, chocolate, perfumes, bath products, facial/hair products, etc. for someday.  Use them now (or at least soon)!

(5) Think of ways to pamper yourself with the items you already have.  Treat yourself like the special person you are every day, not just on special occasions.

(6) Include something in your daily life that feels like a luxury.  On tough days, I might treat myself to a piece of really good chocolate.

(7) Surround yourself with positive reminders of why life is good.  Display those items which make your heart happy – who cares if it doesn’t make sense to other people.   I have a pink paper mâché angel I keep out year round even though it is meant to be a Christmas tree topper.   I keep it out as a reminder of the aunt who gave it to me when I was younger.

Being generous with ourselves will make us feel happier and therefore we will be more likely to be generous with the others around us.  Our family doesn’t want to discover someday a treasure trove of our saved and forgotten items – clothes that were never worn, candles that have never been burned, products which are expired, etc.

Use the stuff!  You won’t be taking it with you when you go, so enjoy it now.  If I had a bottle of champagne, I’d be popping that baby right now as of way of saying “Cheers to you”!

What do you tend to hold on to for a “special occasion”?  Can you figure out a way of using it in your every day life now?  I think you may find you receive a lot of joy from the simple act of using it now.  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

P.S. One way to be generous with yourself is to give yourself plenty of time to relax and recharge (especially if you are already feeling stressed out).  Sign up for my newsletter here and I’ll send you several free printable reminders on ways to relax and recharge today!

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