Inspiration

(Small note: this weekend I posted “Want a Postcard” and neglected to mention the contest is open to EVERYONE, not just postcard club folks! Please pop over to that post and leave a comment and you’ll be entered for a chance to win this month’s babely postcard!)

When I was first separating from my husband my best friend sent me this meme:

It captured everything we’d been discussing so perfectly. These were my goals.

I printed it out and put it right by my dresser where I get ready every morning. When I’m overwhelmed or feeling untethered I look at it to remind myself what I’m supposed to be working on, and to remind myself I’m doing so many of these things now!

My brother who is also going through a separation commented that he doesn’t have any supportive friends like Joie to encourage him.

So I decided to make him a very specific yet very relatable inspirational divorce meme of his own.

I picked a very happy photo of one of his faves, Bob Marley, looking healthy, vital, and happy (all things I know will come more easily to my brother now that he’s made this big step.) I also selected some mantras that speak to his situation right now as he gathers himself up and figures out what’s next.

I wanted to share these with you in case you needed some reminders and inspiration too. These are worthy goals. The more I learn about self-compassion the more I want to spread the word.

Essentially self-compassion means treating yourself with the same care you would give a friend or loved one. It’s that simple, but it’s not something most of us can do easily.

Most of us would tell a friend “go easy on yourself, you’re doing your best, you don’t have to solve your problems all at once, one step at a time,” but we struggle to be this gentle with ourselves.

So here is a reminder to maybe consider that just a little bit today.

❤️

(While looking for inspiration I found this Nina Simone quote with the same luxurious photo. I hope I remember this good advice.)