You are one-of-a-kind and totally worth celebrating! Don’t wait for a holiday to remind yourself of how special you are or a special occasion to tell your friend how much their friendship means to you. Here are a few ways you can celebrate yourself and your friends today.
5 Ways to Celebrate Yourself
1. List five things you’re most proud of.
Think about some of your recent accomplishments. Maybe you gave your first speech in front of a large audience or learned a challenging song on the piano. You can also be proud of how you forgive easily, your unique style, or how you stand up for yourself and your beliefs.
2. Let go of negative self-talk.
Did you know that positive thinking helps you cope better in times of stress and may even lower rates of depression? Negative self-talk is harmful and can affect how you view yourself and the world around you. You are not your thoughts. If a negative thought enters your mind, don’t worry about trying to stop it. Instead, recognize it’s a thought, not who you are, and follow it up with an affirmation to yourself. Remind yourself of your worth and the things you’re thankful for in your life.
3. Take time to do something that makes you happy every day.
Think about what makes you happy. Do you love good music? Then crank it up! Do you love nature? Set aside time each day to spend time outdoors and soak in some fresh air. Doing activities that make you happy will help you stay motivated, improve your mental health, and give you more energy to tackle your schoolwork.
4. Let your inner child run free!
When school, tests, and extracurriculars start to get overwhelming, take a break! Think back to your younger years when life wasn’t so stressful. What did you enjoy doing as a young kid? Maybe you danced around the house, rode your bike, or just laughed about absolutely nothing. It’s ok to let your imagination run wild.
5. Treat Yourself
Don’t wait for your birthday or special occasion to treat yourself to something special. Take yourself out for coffee or ice cream. Ask your parents or guardians if you can take a day off from activities and have a self-care day. Take a relaxing bath or binge-watch Netflix. You deserve it!
3 Ways to Celebrate Your Friends
1. Send a gift (or leave it on their doorstep)
Everyone loves gifts, especially if they’re sent on a random Tuesday. Here are some simple gift ideas:
- Warm cookies
- Tickets to a sports game
- A photo of your favorite memory
- Coffee or a milkshake
- A gift card to their favorite store
- Flowers
- Candy
2. Write them a card
A few kind words can go a long way. Tell your friend what you love about them and what makes your friendship special. Throw in a gift card, and you’ll really make their day!
3. Plan a special day out.
Think about the activities your friend enjoys, and plan a day around them. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. What’s important is spending time together doing something they love.
Every day is the perfect day to celebrate yourself and your friends. Don’t let the stresses of school, work, or even your future take away from enjoying the present moment. Practice self-compassion, exercise, tell your friends how much they mean to you, and most importantly, don’t forget to laugh!