By: Imgbian Caleb
Detectives believe there is no such thing as a perfect crime. Because no matter how shrewd a criminal is, they are bound to make a miscalculation, a little mistake you would never expect from a criminal as sharp as that. When you become a wanted criminal, everything you do matters. There is no room for little mistakes as they will eventually lead to getting caught. The same can apply to an average person in today’s world. We get soaked unknowingly with the constant challenges life throws at us.
The little things we do can change our narrative and shape how we view the world. One of two from a positive or negative view.
The little things are the consequential things we do that seem insignificant in today’s society. Things that help our mental and physical health regardless of our surroundings. Habits that are free and with constant practice can transform our life.
Little Things You Can Do
- gratitude
- positivity
- honesty
- knowing when to say no
- Practicing self-love
- be informed
- smile more
Gratitude: With how accessible information is in this century, it’s no surprise the average person feels the need to complain about the injustice and things that are wrong in their society, which is a good thing. What is not good is when we allow our complaints to become our identity to the point where we no longer see how blessed you are. The fact that information has become this accessible this century is something to be grateful for. The fact that you have good health to complain about and fight the good fight is something to be thankful for, and even if you’re sick, the fact that you are alive is something to be grateful for. We can practice gratitude by doing the following:
- meditate
- keep a journal
- remember the bad and how you overcame it
- share your gratitude with others
- always remember to say ”thank you”
A grateful mindset breeds positivity: Having a positive attitude is everything. You might think it doesn’t matter, but it does. People notice it when they conversate with you. It encourages people and puts you in an excellent position. In hospitals, positive patients have a better chance of survival than pessimistic patients. People come to you for your strength, and they respect you. A good way to develop the habit of positivity includes:
- checking yourself
- be open to humor
- follow a healthy lifestyle
- surround yourself with positive people
- practice positive self-talk
Honesty: In today’s world, it might look like honesty is not fashionable, but it is. Being honest about little things like your opinions and sentiments makes people feel they can trust you. Though some people might find you offensive, they will still respect you. A good way to develop the habit of honesty is by starting with yourself. Acknowledge your feelings, especially when you are in a bad mood. Acknowledge when you fail and acknowledge your weaknesses and learn from them.
Knowing when to say no: Many people, especially teenagers, get influenced to do things they wouldn’t do by their friends or peers because they don’t want to be the odd one out. The reality is, being too agreeable is a sign of low self-esteem. A self-confident person knows when to say no. Especially when they don’t want to do something. You might kill the vibe, but you will earn their respect and probably avoid unnecessary drama and trouble. Below are tactful ways of saying no:
- ask for more time before committing
- start with a compliment.
- thank and encourage the person
- give a clear “no”
- keep in mind that you don’t need a reason to say no
Practice self-love: Generally, we expect others to love us in unrealistic ways. Yes, it is good to be loved but remember, we can’t give what we don’t have. Most times, we are all fighting our demons. When we practice self-love—like working out regularly instead of engaging in malicious gossip and being alone instead of being in a toxic relationship—we’ll begin to love our privacy and self-company. Though we will still crave connections, we’ll seek them with the right people. Plus, we’ll appreciate ourselves more. Below are more helpful self-care tips:
- Stop comparing yourself to others
- Respect, but don’t worry too much about other’s opinions
- Find the beauty in simple things
- Create healthy boundaries
- Be patient with yourself
Be well-Informed: Little things like knowing someone’s name can bring delight to a person. When people hear their name, feel-good hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin, are released into their brains when their ears encode that their name has been called aloud. It makes the person unconsciously have empathy, trust, and compassion for the person. Go as far as knowing the correct pronunciation of a person’s name, as pronouncing a person’s name incorrectly can have the opposite effect. Below are more valuable tips to stay informed:
- Ask questions and come ready to learn
- Be prepared to unlearn some things
- Value the free press
- Diversify your following
- Get your news from multiple reliable sources
Smile more: Smiling has so many scientific benefits, such as reducing stress in the brain and acting as an antidepressant, to name a couple. However, in our day-to-day lives, you’ll notice people don’t like to associate with sad people because they are probably going through their struggles. Most people prefer to connect with cheerful people because it signals happiness. This doesn’t mean you should smile in situations that require seriousness, as it will only make you look like a clown.
It takes constant practice to incorporate these little things into our daily lives. An efficient way to stay consistent is by keeping a journal to help you keep track of yourself. Avoid making the common mistake of telling yourself you don’t have time. Make time to work on yourself before yourself works on you. We can keep a journal with a pen and paper, with our phone, or a computer on a plain Google Doc. You can also join us at The Love Story in one of our many journaling sessions. Hit the link below to get started. You won’t regret it!
Begin Journaling Here
References
Gallagher, A. K. (2018, April 24). Why hearing your own name might be the sweetest sound, ever! Hustle from the Heart. https://www.hustlefromtheheart.com/blog/names
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022, February 3). Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
McGruder, T. & McGruder, W. (n.d.). 13 ways you can be informed on just about anything. Wit & Travesty. http://witandtravesty.com/13-ways-you-can-be-better-informed-on-just-about-anything/
Mindful Staff. (n.d.). How to practice gratitude. Mindful. https://www.mindful.org/an-introduction-to-mindful-gratitude/
Stewart, A. R. (2018, September 18). 13 steps to achieving total self-love. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/13-self-love-habits-every-woman-needs-to-have
Tenzer, R. & wikiHow. (2022, November 16). How to learn to say no. Wikihow. https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-to-Say-No
The health benefits of smiling. (n.d.). SCL Health. Retrieved on 2023, March ##, from https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2019/06/the-real-health-benefits-of-smiling-and-laughing/#:~:text=When%20you%20smile%2C%20your%20brain,the%20serotonin%20is%20an%20antidepressant.
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