Written by: Gabriela Barclay, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Self-celebration is an act of self-care and self-love that helps you recognise and appreciate your achievements and personal growth.
What it is:
Expressing gratitude for your journey.
Taking time to reflect on your growth.
Recognize your value and worth.
A sense of pride and self-confidence,
Appreciating your uniqueness.
A tool to find fulfilment and satisfaction.
It is valuing and honouring yourself.
What is not:
Feeling selfish to celebrate yourself.
Seeking validation.
Guilt.
Comparison or bragging.
Relying on external factors.
Self-judgement
Self-denial.
As we approach the end of the year 2023, it is essential to take a moment and appreciate the personal growth that we have achieved in emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental well-being. Celebrating ourselves is a crucial aspect of our lives in today’s fast-paced world. Scientists have found that acknowledging and celebrating ourselves stimulates positive neurological changes that can profoundly impact our well-being.
Let’s explore why self-celebration matters and how it can transform our lives.
Emotional well-being
Celebrating ourselves can evoke positive emotions such as joy, pride, and gratitude, improving our resilience and overall well-being. It boosts our self-esteem, reduces stress, and improves our ability to cope with challenges. Moreover, it creates a positive feedback loop that encourages a more optimistic outlook. It’s a powerful reminder of our growth and progress.
Tips on self-celebrating your emotional well-being.
Self-care- taking baths, engaging in hobbies, walks in nature.
Journaling
Engage in activities that bring you joy.
Self-compassion
Pets
Music
What does your emotional level say that it needs?
Physical well-being
Positive emotions and self-celebration can significantly impact our physical well-being, promoting better cardiovascular health and immune function, lowering blood pressure, and increasing longevity. It can also improve sleep quality, energy levels and immune systems. Investing time in self-celebration can lead to better physical health, allowing us to enjoy life to the fullest.
Tips on self-celebrating your physical well-being.
Exercise
Relaxation
Rest
Breathing
Listen to your body's needs.
Sending love and appreciation to your body.
What does your physical level say that it needs?
Spiritual well-being
Celebrating ourselves can profoundly impact our spiritual well-being, allowing us to connect with our inner selves and foster a sense of purpose, meaning and interconnectedness. By acknowledging and celebrating our unique qualities and accomplishments, we align ourselves with our values and beliefs, strengthening our sense of spirituality. This connection to our spiritual side can bring greater peace, fulfilment, and harmony.
Tips on self-celebrating your spiritual well-being.
Setting intentions
Meditation
Mindfulness
Self-forgiveness
Acts of kindness
Engage in practices that integrate mind, body, and spirit (yoga, tai chi)
What does your spiritual level say that it needs?
Mental well-being
Self-celebration is closely related to our mental well-being. Celebrating ourselves reinforces positive thought patterns and beliefs about our abilities and enhances self-confidence, self-acceptance, and self-compassion. It also helps combat negative self-talk and self-criticism, reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Celebrating ourselves fosters a healthier mindset, enabling us to approach life’s challenges with resilience and optimism. It’s a way to take care of ourselves mentally and emotionally.
Tips on self-celebrating your mental well-being.
Challenging negative thoughts
Reading
Learning new skills
Setting boundaries
Gratitude
Humor
What does your mental level say that it needs?
Within each level is a wealth of wisdom and a powerful message.
What other practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to honour and celebrate your well-being?
Celebrating ourselves triggers various neurochemical changes in our brains.
When we acknowledge our achievements, our brain releases dopamine, the “feel-good" neurotransmitter. This dopamine surge reinforces our behaviour and motivates us to strive for further success.
Additionally, celebrating ourselves can increase oxytocin and endorphin levels, contributing to happiness, connection and well-being.
These neurochemical changes create a positive cycle, encouraging us to continue celebrating ourselves and nurturing our overall well-being.
In conclusion, celebrating ourselves is an indulgent practice vital for our emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental well-being.
Cultivating positive emotions, boosting self-esteem, fostering resilience, nurturing our spiritual connection, and celebrating ourselves empowers us to lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
Moreover, the neurochemical changes when we acknowledge and celebrate ourselves reinforce positive behaviours and motivation to strive for greater success.
Let’s embrace the power of self-celebration and unlock our full potential for well-being and personal growth.
Gabriela Barclay, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Gabriela's story is one of perseverance, transformation, and hope. She started working in the casinos 25 years ago and quickly rose to a management position in Egypt, making her one of the first women to do so. Her unhappy marriage led her to leave with very few possessions and no money, which left her feeling depressed and unworthy. She survived her story, learned to transform herself and be in her power. Now, as a mother, holistic coach, and casino manager, Gabriela is passionate about empowering women to heal, thrive, stand in their power, see their awesomeness, embrace their authenticity and reclaim their magnificence, embodying her values of kindness, integrity, respect, love, trust, and spirituality.
