Bring Back Nice: Challenge 1 - Be Nice to Yourself

Over the weekend, I asked if people on the Bring Back Nice Facebook page would be interested in a weekly challenge.  There was a positive response so I decided that I will start posting a challenge with a blog post (for anyone who cares to read my ramblings on it) each Monday.  The challenge is just for fun and for the betterment of ourselves and the world around us.  If you can't or don't want to do it, that is totally fine.  You Bring Back Nice in whatever way you feel is right.  :)

Challenge 1: Be Nice to YOURSELF

I know you're saying "Ashley, I thought the whole point of this movement is to make the world a better place, shouldn't we be doing nice things for other people?"  The answer is yes, do nice things for others but don't forget about yourself.  I find that most people who are busy caring for other people all day often forget about themselves.  And it's really hard to be nice to others when you get to the point where you have neglected yourself for so long that you just feel worn out.

For the challenge, I'd like you to do one nice thing for yourself each day.  Here are some ideas:
~Read a book or magazine for relaxation
~Take a bath
~Get or give yourself a manicure or pedicure
~Watch a movie
~Get a massage
~Treat yourself to a coffee or smoothie (or whatever you like)
~Do some crafting
~Listen to your favorite music and just sit
~Call your best friend or mom or other favorite relative just to chat
~Meditate
~Do that spa/craft/cooking kit thing that you bought for yourself and never got around to doing
~Do a face or hair mask
~Go to a bookstore and just hang out
~Do your favorite hobby or whatever makes you HAPPY

But beyond these little things that you can do FOR yourself, I want you to be nice TO yourself.  Bringing Back Nice is a mindset.  It's a movement to bring back kindness into every day life.  And you can't be nonjudgmental, compassionate, and kind to other people if you are constantly beating yourself up.  You do not need to put yourself down to bring someone else up!  Be kind to yourself not just in the actions you do that other people can see like treating yourself to a nice hair cut but in the way you talk to yourself and the way you treat yourself.  Give yourself some grace.  I read a quote once that to paraphrase said "If we treated our friends like we treated ourselves, we wouldn't have any friends left."  And that's just sad.

If you'd like to join along in the challenge, you can go to the Bring Back Nice Facebook Page and check in with us or you can leave a comment right here telling me how you were nice to YOURSELF this week.  Or you can leave a comment everyday when you do a nice thing for yourself.  Or you can just do it and not leave comments.  Whatever you like.  :)  I just hope this encourages you to Bring Back Nice.  Remember, love starts at home.  ;)