One of my biggest goals in 2021 has been working on how I think about myself. I like to believe I’m a positive person—the kind of girl who brings sunshine, sarcasm, and snacks. But when it comes to myself, I can be painfully negative. I mentally beat myself up in ways I’d never dream of doing to anyone else. And honestly? It’s exhausting.
But I’m aware of it. I know when my mindset crosses the line from “normal self-critique” to “wow, okay, we’re being dramatic now,” and I’m actively learning to pull myself back. So today, I wanted to sit down and share the little habits that genuinely help me feel my best—inside and out.
Taking Time to Journal
If there was ever a year when journaling took off, it was 2021. Everyone and their mother suddenly had a prompted journal, affirmations list, and gratitude ritual. I joined the club with the 5 Minute Journal, and honestly, I didn’t expect it to work for me the way it has.
Each morning, I jot down what I’m grateful for, my goals, and my affirmations. At night, I quickly reflect on the day. For someone with anxiety and obsessive thoughts, putting pen to paper is like hitting “refresh” on my brain. It lets me draw a line under the day instead of mentally reliving it on repeat at 2am.
Giving Myself a Pamper
Working on yourself internally is vital—but I also think it’s important to feel good externally. As someone who reviews beauty products and spends a lot of time staring at my own face (the curse of the content creator), I’m hyper-aware of every tiny flaw.
A simple pamper session makes such a difference. A fresh tan, tweezed brows, lifted lashes—tiny things, but enough to make me feel like a million dollars instead of a damp troll doll fresh out of the shower. A little bit of glam goes a long way.
Planning Out My Week
With anxiety and OCD, overthinking is my default setting. Planning out my entire week helps quiet the noise. I write down everything—and I mean everything. Getting dressed, walking the dog, brushing my teeth… if it’s a task, it goes on the list.
And the satisfaction of ticking things off? Elite. Some people might think it’s excessive, but for me, it creates structure, clarity, and a surprising amount of calm. It frees up my mind so I can focus on actually living instead of mentally juggling 500 tabs like a glitchy MacBook.
Talking to Someone I Trust
Before lockdown, I had regular face-to-face therapy. When it switched to phone calls, it just didn’t give me the same emotional clarity, so I eventually stopped and started navigating things alone.
That said, I’ve learned how important it is to talk things through when the mental load gets heavy. And that’s where my husband steps in—my absolute rock, sounding board, and part-time therapist. He listens with empathy, humour, and zero judgement. I hit the jackpot with that man.
Final Thoughts
These may seem like simple things—and they are. But when you’re living with anxiety and constant self-criticism, simple doesn’t mean easy. Even though 2021 didn’t start gently (lockdowns and global chaos, hello), I dedicated the year to working on myself. And I plan to keep doing that, because the payoff will last much longer than the year itself.
If you’re on a similar journey, I hope you find small habits that help you feel your best too.
