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were_you_a_self-centered_kid_.pdf |
Back in my spoken word poetry days, I wrote and performed a poem called "Asian Heroines." It's still one of my favorites. It was also one of the few instances where my parents saw me perform. I still remember, years later, in the car ride home after my mom asked:
"But you don't really want to be selfish, right?"
"Uhh, yes, I do" was my reply.
And right then and there, it showed me that the whole thing went over my mom's head. Well, maybe not the entire thing, but the parts that were important to me. And I don't think my mom is alone in her general view that selfish is seen as a negative, and as women we should be thoughtful, thinking about others, that is just what you do.
So you see why we need this month's theme!
What is so bad about being 'centered' around your self, anyways? And sure, I understand how being selfish can be seen as a negative trait, but there is a part to it that can be very good for us.
When I was little, I was certainly never encouraged to be selfish or self-centered. Quite the opposite. I was told not to complain, eat what I was told to, and generally be invisible. For some kids, they are encouraged or permitted to be 'selfish' or essentially express their own needs and desires when they wish, how they wish.
However, not all of us got that kind of upbringing --- and for those of us we need a little encouragement and reminder to bring us back to ourselves! It's a very good thing. So let's dive in to JULY!
This week's Journaling Prompts will be about digging into your past and old messaging around being selfish or self-centered. What were you told? Modeled? Was it different between your parents or your siblings?
So here are your 10 minute journaling prompts and exercises this week on being SELF-CENTERED.. yea!
Your Daily 10 Minute Journaling Prompts:
Were you allowed to have your feelings when you were young? Cry, yell, demand things? Did you parents cater to your every need? Did you feel invisible or treated like you should be? Talk a bit about how it was being the little [your name here].
Day 2 - JOURNAL:
Now that you've 'grown up' what would you tell Little [your name here], if you could go back and be with her?
Day 3 - ARTS/CRAFTS:
Let's jump to the present! Or as Pooh says,
"Ahh, TODAY. My favorite day."
Let's think about you being at the CENTER of your life. What might that look like? Feel free to get out a large piece of paper and draw a circle in the middle and lines going out to different areas of your life. Or simply write/draw in your journal. What does it mean to be at the CENTER of YOUR LIFE?
Day 4 - REST DAY
Great work! Go for a walk, grab a cuppa tea and curl up with your book at home or in a cafe. ENJOY TODAY and your amazing SELF!
Day 5 - JOURNAL:
What is one thing you would likely immediately stop doing if you were at the Center of your life? Or 3 things. Write for 10 min and see what comes out.
Day 6 -REST DAY
You can have this as a Rest Day or share with a friend! Who is someone you'd love to share this month-long journey on delving into your SELF with? Reach out to them, let them know what you're doing, share this blog post and share a couple stories over tea!
Day 7 - Congratulations!
Treat yourself to something FUN (can be topic related or not) today! And if you feel up for it, also journal 3 things you appreciate about yourself this week. SO proud of you!