settle for less tricks

It’s the trick-or-treat season, but when it comes to our well-being, every day is a day to choose treats over tricks.

When life hands us stress, setbacks, and struggles, our mental health improves when we treat ourselves with care. Self-care, like visiting a third space, taking a walk in the fresh air, reading a good book, coloring or crafting, or meeting up with a friend, is a real treat that nourishes our mental health.

Too often, we trick ourselves. We fall for false narratives that whisper we aren’t enough, don’t have enough, or can’t change. Mental tricks can take many forms, a few of the scary ones:

• Confirmation Bias: When we only seek evidence that reinforces our self-doubt.

• Rationalization: When we convince ourselves that things will magically get better if we just wait.

• Just-World Fallacy: When we believe we deserve someone else’s poor behavior.

This Halloween season, let’s break the habit of self-trickery. Instead of feeding fear and frustration, choose self-kindness and care.

Every time you treat yourself to rest, to reflection, to creativity you’re choosing more peace, more balance, and more happiness.

Today and every day, settle for less tricks by treating yourself well!