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Friend Yourself
12 ways to be your own friend

When battling your own mind, it is challenging to love yourself. Yet, you must…even if you don’t feel like you can. Celebrate yourself. Treat yourself as though you are the most beloved individual on earth. Because…you…are. Be kind to yourself.
Hiding beneath the mental anguish, the pain, and the struggles…you are extraordinary. Those words may feel far from the truth right now, but seek it out. Don’t give up; keep hanging on.
Here are 12 Ways to Be Your Own Friend:
1. Breathe, slowly and deeply.
Close your eyes and let yourself genuinely relax. Oftentimes, we don’t allow ourselves the time actually needed for this.

In 2001, I lost my voice for a month. Turns out, it wasn’t simply laryngitis. Visiting an otolaryngologist, he scoped me. The doctor told me that there wasn’t any reason for my lack of voice, and he referred me to a speech pathologist. Yes, speech therapy. I was honestly the only adult patient in the waiting room. Turns out, I had forgotten how to breathe. Seriously? Yes. I was so tense and stressed that I was holding my breath without realizing it…even while attempting to speak. No breath was passing through my larynx to vibrate my vocal chords (how voice is made). I had only a whisper. I slowly relearned how to breathe and how to breathe while speaking. Relaxation became a much-needed goal.
2. Enjoy a sunrise or sunset.
Take a picture; preserve the beauty.

Don’t miss out on these times of day! Sunrises come not only with beauty, but with stillness and peace…before the day is filled with cacophony. As for sunsets, again beauty, but the happy sounds of neighbors winding down the day. What do your twilight hours sound like?