Good morning.
It's Saturday, October tenth.
It's also World Mental Health Day.
A day to check on our minds.
The same way we'd check on a friend.
So let's do that.
Gently.
Before the phone starts buzzing.
Get comfortable.
Sitting, lying down, whatever feels right.
Picture a close friend texting you.
Just two words.
You okay?
What would you really write back?
Not the thumbs-up.
The honest reply.
Maybe you're doing pretty well.
That's worth noticing.
Maybe you're worn a little thin.
Or you honestly can't tell.
That happens more than people admit.
Especially after a long stretch.
All of those are okay answers.
You don't have to fix any of them.
For six minutes...
let's just be kind to your mind.
Let's slow the breath down.
Even and steady.
In and out the same length.
Breathe in slowly...
two...
three...
four.
And out slowly...
two...
three...
four.
In again...
nice and even.
matching the in-breath.
Like rain falling at one steady pace.
No rush in it.
In...
And out.
Let your body notice something.
Right now, in this room...
you're okay.
Nothing is chasing you right now.
The day hasn't started asking yet.
Think about how you talk to yourself.
Especially on hard days.
A lot pretty of us are harsh.
"Why can't you just get it together?"
We'd never say that to a friend.
Not in a million years.
So let's try something different.
Imagine talking yourself...
to the way you'd talk to someone you love.
Maybe place a hand on your arm.
Or rest it on your cheek.
And offer your mind these words.
Slowly.
You're doing your best.
And that's enough for today.
Let those sit for a moment.
Maybe part of you argues back.
"But I didn't do the dishes."
"But I snapped at someone."
That's okay.
You can hear it...
and say the kind words anyway.
You're doing your best.
Your best changes day to day.
Some days it's a lot.
Some days it's getting out of bed.
Both count.
Now just rest.
With whatever you're feeling.
If there's heaviness...
let it be there.
You don't have to push it out.
If there's lightness...
let that be there too.
Feelings are a lot like weather.
They move through.
Even the gray ones.
You don't have to name them all.
Just let them have a little room.
Listen to the rain.
It isn't trying to fix anything.
It just keeps falling, softly.
You can sit with yourself like that.
Kindly.
Without a to-do list.
Let the rain soften into the background.
Feel where you're sitting.
Take a slow, even breath in...
And out.
Now choose one caring thing for today.
Something just for you.
A walk around the block.
A call to someone who gets you.
Or an early night.
Pick the one that feels doable.
Then do it.
If it's the walk...
put your shoes by the door now.
That way they're waiting for you.
And if things feel really heavy lately...
please reach out.
A counselor or a doctor can help.
In the US, call or text 988.
Any time, day or night.
Reaching out is a way of caring, too.
You'd want a friend to do it.
You get to do it as well.
Open your eyes when you're ready.
Be gentle with yourself today.