Cut Yourself Some Slack | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Cut Yourself Some Slack

You wouldn't expect perfection out of anyone else, so why do you expect it from yourself?

91
Cut Yourself Some Slack

It's said that we are our own worst enemies. But why is that? Shouldn't we be kinder to ourselves? This world will try hard enough to tear you down. Why should it have any help from you at all?

No matter where you are in life, you probably have at least the occasional feeling that you are not good enough, that you should have done some things in your life differently. But that’s how life goes sometimes. We know more now than we did five years ago, because we are always growing as people. That’s just a fact of life. So why beat yourself up because you didn’t know five years ago what you know now? Of course you didn’t, because hindsight is twenty-twenty, and our lives build on previous experiences to continually grow us as people. If you’re not satisfied with where you are in life, one of two things need to happen, you either need to figure out what it is that you are doing that you shouldn’t be, or what you should be doing but aren’t, or maybe...you need to quit being so hard on yourself!

If you have a heartbeat, you're here for a reason. That reason is not to make yourself feel like a failure because you didn’t graduate early or on time, or because you're not at the same place in your career as everyone else. You need to take a look in the mirror and recognize that you wouldn’t take this crap from everyone else, so why are you taking it from yourself? Why are you letting yourself beat you up and tell you you're not worthy?

Your motto in life should include the golden rule of course, “do unto others…” but it should also include treating yourself like you treat other people. If a family member or close friend had the struggle in life that you were having, what would you do? Would you point out all the imperfections in their lives and pile on and make them feel even worse about themselves? I think not. So what would you do instead?

Would you…take some time to sit with them and listen to what’s going on? Offer to help them in any way possible? Let them know that they aren’t alone? In other words, you would just cut them some major slack, right? Right. So what are some ways you could do that for yourself? Could you delegate some of what is making your life difficult? Get an extension on a project? Quit a job or take some time off? Make time to journal or do a hobby that you enjoy to give yourself some much-needed rest.

Stop being so hard on yourself. You are loved. You are more than your accomplishments. You are more than what you haven’t accomplished. You are even more than your possible future accomplishments. If you never accomplish another thing, you are still you. You are still human, and the world will still turn. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of this.

Sometimes, we need to tell ourselves that just living is enough.

We are enough.

I am enough.

You are enough.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

196862
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18839
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460874
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28305
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments