And remember, your BRMS counselors (Ms. Patterson and Mr. McQuarrie) are here to help you! Please feel free to reach out if you need some support.
It's likely that you already do activities you enjoy, but how often are you doing it intentionally? Thoughtfully watching an episode of your favorite Netflix show can be restorative; mindlessly binge-watching 10 episodes is not 10x as restorative (trust me, I wish it were!). Being mindful and intentional with your leisure time makes a big difference in your wellbeing!
Give yourself a break every now and then to just do nothing. Not everything you do has to be productive. Your personal wellbeing always comes first!
You are going to have bad minutes, bad hours, bad days, and bad weeks. This is certainly not ideal, but it is a normal occurrence for everyone. On days when you're feeling extra on edge or sad or anxious, try to be gentle with yourself. Allow yourself to feel your feelings, and let the next day be a better one. You do not have to be perfect, and these feelings will pass.
"Just as the waves in an ocean change, so do your emotions. Like waves, your emotions might be calm and peaceful one moment and at another rocky and unpredictable." We don't always get to choose what happens in our life, but we can learn how to deal with the obstacles that come our way until they pass. Read more about this technique here.
Selfish
Self-indulgent
Expensive
Luxurious
A fad
Cookie-cutter / the same for everyone
A sign of weakness
Something to feel guilty about
Self-preservation
Self-love
Self-compassion
A necessity
Fluid / ever-changing
Intentional
Rejuvenating
Nourishment
An act of giving yourself permission