101 Simple Small Ways to Help You Feel Better About You

It’s no surprise that most of us have felt down at some point in our lives. What IS a surprise is just how quickly our world has changed within the last six months. It seems that just as soon as we started our new year’s resolutions, everything came to a halt, making many of us just want to give up. 

And that would be easy to do. According to ABC News, the newest reports show that as of September, the unemployment rate has slipped to 7.9% from 3.5% prior to the pandemic.

Millions of people have fallen victim to depression or have had their mental health compromised as a result of the effects of COVID-19. So many of us are dealing with the stress that comes from strapped household income, loss of family members and friends, loss of job security, racial injustice, safety concerns, political unrest, social-distancing from our loved ones, hybrid learning headaches, and an unfathomable amount more.   

To the frontline workers and everyone else who has helped us deal with this horrible virus day in and day out– often to the detriment of their own personal health– THANK YOU on behalf of all of us. 

But despite what is going on around us, we need to remember that WE have the ability to change our focus and attempt to redirect our energy to practices that will bring joy to our lives.

So, if you are feeling down lately, know that it is perfectly normal. Below, I’m sharing a list of 101 simple small ways to help you feel better about you.

My hope is that in some small way, your life will be improved by the act of doing one or more of these things. I would love to hear what you would add, and if you’d like to share with us, please comment below!

1. Think about all of the people/things who/that are surviving/thriving because of you.
2. Make a monthly self-care checklist.
3. Send someone a thank you note.
4. Text a friend a funny memory you share.
5. Pursue a hobby you never tried before but are interested in.
6. Brainstorm creative ways that you can use your unique gifts to give back to others.
7. Find your signature fragrance.
8. Have your partner, friend, or family member make an A-Z list of your positive traits. Take time to really read it.
9. Clean your workspace.
10. Plan something you look forward to this week, even if it’s just a relaxing bath.
11. Compliment someone on a trait you appreciate about them.
12. Read a book for enjoyment.
13. Start a “good ideas” notebook so you can record all of your “aha” moments.
14. Make a short and simple to-do list (even if you’ve already completed half of it!) and rock it for an immediate sense of accomplishment!
15. Switch out your photos with new happy memories so you can reminisce.
16. Tell your loved ones how much you appreciate them. Be specific about why.
17. Locate the place in your body where stress is physically affecting you, and give that area some TLC.
18. Make an acronym of your name with your positive traits.
19. Purge items/people in your orbit that/whom you don’t identify with anymore.
20. Take inventory of your wardrobe and define 3 pieces that pop up frequently to help you define your unique personal style.
21. Get yourself a good water bottle that keeps your water cold. This will encourage you to drink more water throughout the day!
22. Start writing down the things you laughed about each day and look at them whenever you need a quick pick-me-up.
23. Get in the habit of watching the sunrise and/or sunset as much as you can.
24. Create a fun customized email signature for your personal email.
25. Have a friend pick out the perfect outfit for you and ask them why it’s perfect.
26. Start a Pinterest board of your “Ideal Self”. Add unique inspiration with books, positive quotes, clothing, ideas, and other things that feel like “you”.
27. Complete a free DiSC assessment to learn more about your personality.
28. Watch an inspirational video. Try AddictedtoSuccess or Goalcast.com.
29. Update your LinkedIn profile.
30. Write down 5 traits you like about yourself, but that you’d like to develop a little bit more. Think of ways to practice these traits in your day-to-day life.
31. Do a quick “brain dump” of all of the skills you have.
32. Take a daily multivitamin.
33. Make a short and simple to-do list (even if you’ve already completed half of it!) and rock it for an instant boost of self-confidence.
34. Remove negative social media accounts from your feed.
35. Find out and research your Enneagram type.
36. Make an A-Z list of your positive traits.
37. Write down all the jobs you’ve ever had and a lesson you’ve learned at each.
38. Take a walk outside during your lunch break.
39. Visit a site like Unsplash.com and look at all of the gorgeous photos.
40. Every time you take a personal call, walk around for exercise.
41. Personalize and “jazz up” your bedside table.
42. Plan one thing per weekend just for you.
43. Write down all of your accomplishments, big and small. Yes, you got your bachelor’s degree, but you can also braid like a boss! Celebrate that sh*t!
44. Plan one weekend per year where you just focus on drawing up your personal goals.
45. Smile first thing in the morning, even if it’s forced–studies show it elevates mood instantly.
46. Research which celebrities match your personality test results (from Enneagram, DiSC, Myers Briggs) and note what you admire about the ones who fall into your category and which you share!
47. Name a time you coached someone else and try to recall the gratitude that person had for you and the skills you were able to offer them.
48. Update and clean up your resume (or hire someone to do it!).
49. Have your coffee outside for a change.
50. Make a bucket list.
51. Write down all of the good advice you’ve ever been given.
52. Find your perfect lipstick color.
53. Gather all of the old tee shirts you have and create a tee shirt quilt to marvel at all with which you’ve been involved.
54. Throw out or untag photos that make you feel bad about yourself.
55. Help someone with something you are good at.
56. Buy a new fun journal.
57. Write down all the things on which people come to you for advice.
58. Remind someone you miss them.
59. Write down the details of an interview that you nailed. What did you do?
60. Make a digital vision board.
61. Recommend a good book to a friend and tell them why you love it.
62. Think of a time when you were extra patient with someone. How could you replicate that?
63. Fill half your plate with veggies each meal.
64. Take an Emotional Intelligence course online.
65. Screenshot any email praise you get at work and save them in a folder to look back on.
66. Create a gig on Fiverr to showcase your unique talents and offer them to others.
67. Find an opportunity to volunteer for a cause you truly care about.
68. Change up your bedroom décor to showcase your taste and feel calm as you fall asleep.
69. Create an energizing morning routine that is simple and motivating so you stick with it.
70. Perfect a skill you already have.
71. Ask your family/friends for words that describe you.
72. Consider being a mentor to someone.
73. Research your love language as well as your partner’s so that you can better connect.
74. Catch up with the news every day, even if it’s a 5 minute story briefing through Alexa.
75. Map out a way to obtain your “holy grail item.”
76. Take time in the evening to be silent and reflect on what went well today.
77. Wear that shirt (or whatever piece) that everyone compliments you on.
78. Start a passive savings account for something special like a trip. Albert is the app I use to help Nate and I afford travel.
79. Sign up for a free course on Coursera to explore an interest you have.
80. Take the time to find a GREAT fitting pair of jeans that make your ass look insane. If you are curvy like me, try Good American.
81. Write down something that people seem to struggle with, but that comes easily to you.
82. Create a SMART goal for each area of your life (health/career/relationships/etc.).
83. Make a playlist of all your “getting ready” songs (Hello, 2004 50 Cent!).
84. Meditate somewhere quiet outside.
85. Try the 4-7-8 breathing method to get centered and relax.
86. Buy yourself a luxurious pair of slippers that feel incredible on your feet. 
87. Get your makeup done by someone else for an outside take on your beauty.
88. Join a social media group for your Enneagram, Myers Briggs, or DiSC type to gain insights from those like you.
89. Start tracking your mood every day.
90. Light a wonderful-smelling seasonal candle.
91. Mix your favorite essential oils in a diffuser and take a few deep breaths.
92. List the top 10 things you love about yourself.
93. Have a stretching session where you stretch every muscle in your body.
94. Find a friend who is into meditating and try meditating together outside.
95. Compile a list of songs to listen to when you need a quick pick-me-up.
96. Let the grocery store clerk take your groceries to your car for you.
97. Gift yourself some beautiful flowers for no reason in particular.
98. Bring home an air-purifying plant for your bedroom. Peace lilies are easy to look after.
99. Try a beautifying face mask at home. Target has a ton of inexpensive options for different skin focuses.
100. Take time to really notice and appreciate how happy your pets are when you come home. 
101. Treat yourself to a massage (either professionally or from your partner or a friend).

If you made it to the end, and none of these work, I’m going to bust out the big guns…here are photos of puppies!