Take 5 with Tash: Daily Affirmations and Self-Compassion with a Chunk of Chocolate
At Pebbly Path, we’re all about more than just premium rocky road and handcrafted chocolates—we’re passionate about promoting mental health and emotional well-being. We’re proud to donate a portion of our profits to the LIVIN mental health organisation, and I (Tash) personally advocate for mental health awareness and education.
Since I’ve been in therapy on and off since I was 12 years old, I’ve picked up a few life-changing insights along the way. If you’ve ever faced your own emotionally rocky road, I thought you might enjoy some of my favourite daily affirmations, along with some tips to help you get through those tough times. So, let’s "Take 5 with Tash" and get started!
3 Daily Affirmations I Tell Myself (and You Should Too)
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You ARE good enough (repeat this one about a thousand times a day until you start to believe it, and then keep going). It’s an essential affirmation that can make all the difference when you’re feeling down.
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Don’t turn away... keep your gaze on the bandaged place—that’s where the light enters. This means that if it hurts, it can heal, but you’ve got to feel it to heal it. Just like rocky road—you've got to include ALL the ingredients to create something amazing, just like you have to feel ALL your emotions to live an incredible life.
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All your hopes and dreams are in the hands of this person in the mirror. OK so this one and the second one are actually WRITTEN on my mirror at work and at home. Just use any ole whiteboard marker on your mirrors and you've got yourself a daily reminder you can change up anytime you like, to keep yourself on track.
You’re welcome!
2 Bluddy Great Free Resources for Mental Health
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The Smiling Mind App
Available for free from the app store, this app has a range of guided meditations to help with sleep, stress, focus, and even relationships. Whether you’re meditating for a couple of minutes or longer, it’s a brilliant tool. My kids love the Golden Glow meditation at bedtime, and I’m a big fan of using this app when I need to unwind—especially with a chunk of handcrafted rocky road by my side. -
LIVIN 'We Asked Our Psych' Blogs
These blogs are like a treasure trove of mental health FAQs. Want to know how to deal with depression? Not sure what to do if someone you care about is struggling? Or maybe you’re curious about how to become more resilient? Check out these free blogs for answers to those burning questions.
1 Gold Nugget You Can Try This Week: MAKE IT R.A.I.N.
Ever been told you’re too hard on yourself, or to try talking to yourself the same way you would a best friend? I’ve heard it A LOT. But what does practising self-compassion or self-love really mean, and how do we actually do it? Enter: Tara Brach and her life-changing R.A.I.N. technique.
Here’s how you can bring some R.A.I.N. into your life:
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Recognise
Identify the thoughts, feelings, or behaviours you’re experiencing in the moment. For example, if you’re angry at a friend for cancelling plans, recognise the emotion. -
Allow
Allow yourself to fully feel the emotion. Whether it’s anger, sadness, or frustration—acknowledge it without judgement. Feel the emotion in your body—your racing heart, your clenched fists. It’s all okay to feel. -
Investigate
Dig deeper into what you’re believing in that moment. Maybe you feel your friend doesn’t value you, or you believe you’re not important to them. Ask yourself what that belief means if it’s true. Feel the discomfort in your body—let yourself sit with it, like you’re acting out the emotions in a movie. -
Nurture with Self-Compassion
This is where the magic happens. What does that vulnerable part of yourself need? What would it ask for if it could speak? Nurture it—place a tender hand on your heart and speak kind words like, “I love you,” “You are safe,” or “I’m here for you.” Give yourself the love and support you need, like you would a close friend. Try this: "It's understandable that you would feel this way, because..."
To fully experience this technique, Tara Brach has a brilliant podcast where she guides you through R.A.I.N. in 20 minutes. Give it a try this week and let me know how you go!
Final Thoughts
That’s it for this "Take 5 with Tash"! What do you think? Do you have any questions about therapy, mental health, or my journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts and insights. Just reply or leave a comment—I genuinely want to connect with you.
Until next time, take care of yourself, and remember to indulge in a bit of Pebbly Path rocky road on your way to better mental health.
Peace, love, and chocolate,
Tash xx