“Thank you for an incredibly valuable day – we loved it” – Pip Simons, Head of House & PSHE
What does it mean to be kind to ourselves? For me, being kind to myself means investing in my well-being. This can look like, spending time with the people I love, making space for getting out in nature, eating a hearty meal or having an extra long sleep. My Christian faith also benefits my well-being; reminding me to have grace for myself and be kind to others too.
Helping young people to be kind to themselves involves teaching them about both grace and positive well-being. Last week our Matrix team spent the day at County High School in Guildford, running workshops, an assembly and lunchtime stalls. The day was run to promote the concept of wellbeing to young people. Focusing on how they can positively impact their own well-being and the well-being of others, we looked at;
- Accepting ourselves
- Being kind to others
- Choosing to be thankful
- Talking to someone when we need help
- Doing the things we love
- Trying new positive new activities
A friend of mine was recently talking about superheroes. The difference between the Marvel and DC ones to be exact. He noted that Marvel heroes like Captain America don’t seem to display any weaknesses. In contrast, DC heroes such as Superman are little more relatable. Superman can be weakened by kryptonite, which is reassuring for those of us who are aware of our limitations.
When we live in a culture that tries to aim us towards perfection, deliberately making decisions to prioritise taking care of ourselves is key to being able to pick ourselves up when, like Superman, life throws us a kryptonite curveball.