Start your fall on the right note by participating in the Lady Gaga-created Born This Way Foundation’s fourth (and biggest yet) #BeKind21 initiative, a project dedicating to spreading positivity and kindness to both yourself and those around you. From September 1st to 21st, try your best to stay positive and make healthy choices while focusing on your wellness! Here are 21 ways you can get involved in the initiative:
- Check out the Born This Way x Galison Puzzle
As a fun way to raise money for the Born This Way Foundation while helping those who may need a little boost, Galison created a colorful “Be Kind” puzzle that includes a calendar you can use to plan out your 21 days of positivity! $1 from each puzzle sale with benefit Born This Way Foundation’s efforts to promote mental health awareness and achieve global well-being. You can buy the puzzle on Amazon and Galison’s website, then invite a friend over for a fun night in!
- Write a “thank you” note
Whether it’s to yourself or a loved one, writing a sweet letter is a great way to practice gratitude and show your appreciation for someone’s empathy. If you’re feeling creative, you can play around with calligraphy and fun stationery to add an extra personal touch!
- Get some fresh air
Water some plants, listen to the birds chirping, and soak in some sunshine! As the fall and winter approach, these are our last few weeks to enjoy the warm weather, and there are tons of health benefits to heading outdoors.
- Do a Digital Detox
It can be stressful to have the world at your fingertips, so this is the perfect opportunity to unplug for a little while! Turn your phone on airplane mode, step away from the screens, and take some time to focus on yourself and how you’re feeling. You can catch up on social media and emails later.
- Organize your space
With a new month and season on the horizon, it’s a great time to tidy up, declutter, and find homes for everything you have around you. After all, your mindset mirrors your surroundings! If you need motivation, try tidying while watching cleaning videos.
- Make a list of things you love about yourself
Even if it’s just 3-5 things, it’ll give you a confidence boost and you can look back at it on days you’re not feeling your best. You could even tape it to your mirror so it’s one of the first things you see while you’re getting ready every day!
- Have a self-care night
There are tons of ways you can engage in self-care, whether it’s something escapist like a spa night or something practical like getting important work done and making to-do lists. Whichever you prefer, setting aside a few hours to look out for your future self can be relaxing and productive.
- Make a nice meal
Cooking can be fun and therapeutic, and you get some good food out of it! Take some time out of your evening to make your favorite food, try something new, or get some meal prep done so you don’t have to stress later in the week.
- Compliment someone
Making someone smile is one of the easiest ways to boost your mood! You could compliment a family member, say something sweet to a friend, or leave a nice comment on someone’s Instagram post. Taking just a few seconds to do this could brighten their day.
- Donate or volunteer
If you can, donating money to a cause you care about is greatly welcomed by both the organization you choose and the people they help. Contributions to groups like Born This Way Foundation is a fantastic way to support their mission and show your appreciation for their work!
- Make a playlist
There’s no doubt that music is tied to our moods, and you can easily boost your mindset by putting together a playlist of your favorite songs! To make it more fun, you could invite some friends to make playlists surrounding a certain theme, then check out each other’s picks.
- Look for support
If you’re going through a tough time and need help, try speaking to a loved one or someone online. There are lots of resources available for when you’re struggling, like Please Stay and Hope for the Day’s websites, so check those out give yourself the support you deserve.
- Send a friend a meme
Cheer up within seconds by finding a cute or funny meme to share with a friend! You can find a motivational quote, funny tweet, or pictures of puppies to let someone know you’re thinking of them and bring a smile to their face.
- Start (or work on) a journal
Journalling can be very therapeutic, and it’s a versatile way to let your feelings out! You can go a step further by making a bullet journal, which combines a diary and planner to become your ultimate anchor.
- Do a little reading
Whether it’s a book you’ve been meaning to check out or an article about a musician you like, there’s no such thing as too much reading. It can take your mind off something that’s bothering you, help you pass the time for a few hours, and you can learn more about something you’re interested in!
- Get creative
Break out some paper and colored pencils, then go to town! Spending time thinking creatively can fend off depression and anxiety, and the final product will remind you to take care of your mental health.
- Spend time with a pet
Curl up next to a real or stuffed animal for some nice relaxing and cuddles! It’ll feel great getting to bond with your pet and have a chill timeout from work and other stress.
- Live your dreams
Or at least start planning them out! Set some goals, think about where you want to be this time in a year, and figure out how you can get there. Having a map of what you want to be able to do can be such a motivator, and it will help you sort out actionable steps that will get you closer.
- Meditate for a little while
Take a few minutes to focus on your breathing and how you’re feeling in a certain moment. You can use an app like Calm or listen to guided meditation videos that will help you be more mindful and present!
- Watch a movie
Have a theater night at home with your favorite film, some fun snacks, and some friends, virtually or in person! It’s a fun way to give a sense of normalcy to the crazy times we’re living in, and a great way to connect with loved ones over something you both enjoy.
- Go easy on yourself
It’s so easy to doubt and criticize yourself, but try to rise above it! You’re stronger and more talented than you know, and you have so many wonderful things coming your way. Stay positive and keep pushing towards your goals!
