Read and Ponder

This activity introduces several of the key mental self-care notions emphasized at Outpost Oops. It also provided a way to reflect on these notions. Following each of the short paragraphs that follow is a statement in italics. After reading each statement, pause to take a deep breath, then silently reread the statement until you’re familiar with it. Next, close eyes and ponder how you might benefit from the statement.

1. Good mental self-care skills are habits―daily ways to feel able or close. These skills must be learned and supported.

It’s time to stop putting off discovering and practicing routine ways to care well for my mind.

2. Times we experience a loss trigger hurt―an unpleasant reaction prompting us to regain not only ableness or closeness but also self-worth. Our hurt signals our mental survival may be at risk.

My lingering hurt indicates a possible need to find better ways to feel good-enough.

3. Unfortunately, poor guidance while growing up teaches us that disliking ourselves is an OK way to try to heal. As a result,not stooping to the use not-nice ways to feel able or close takes effort.

Getting down on myself can pressure me to seek self-worth in hurtful ways.

4. Living in a world that often takes mental health for granted, we easily neglect our mental self-care. We even learn to overlook times we’re overwhelmed, making us more likely to do something we’ll regret.

I intend to work harder to run out of reasons not to take better care of my mind.

5. Called empathic-humility, realizing everyone sometimes feels desperate helps bring about the mercy needed to be kind and fair to others and ourselves. Empathic-humility helps people ease hurtful losses.

Accepting I too can be needy in hurtful ways helps me show others and myself mercy.

6. Times we’re sad or angry almost always indicate stored hurt is bursting. Only by owning that our misery is fueled by our stashed hurt are we likely to do some healing.

Exploring my hurt, especially when I’m upset with others or myself, often takes bravery.

7. We know when we’re not nice. Accepting this is so helps us prevent feeling bad about ourselves.

I need to be determined to head off being unkind or unfair.

8. When it comes to caring for our mind, good looks, a show of talent, or much wealth pale alongside niceness. Reminding ourselves of this is a very big deal.

Remember, day in and day out I’m told to care for myself in unnecessary, sometimes not-nice, ways.

9. The folks at Outpost Oops hope you find the Outpost a useful guide―one that helps you commit to self-care that creates safety, self-trust and serenity.

Only seeing myself be kind and fair can give me peace of mind.