10 self-empowerment practices to try

The general awareness and understanding of the importance of self-care practices for ourselves is generally pretty good nowadays; however, what about ‘empowerment practices’…? 

Empowerment practices come from those things that sit at the edge of our comfort zone… those things that can perhaps make us feel a little nervous or hesitant or uncomfortable… and yet deep down we know that with a little support and faith in ourselves, we can do it or succeed. Sometimes it can be a battle between the voices of self-doubt versus self-belief as to what we decide to do and what action to take. 

Therefore, empowerment practices can give us the opportunity to try and maybe fail (and be OK with it!), and try to maybe succeed. It can allow us to understand our strengths, capabilities and resilience. So often through life we have been told or taught to be productive, reach goals, meet expectations and be reprimanded or dismissed when these haven’t been reached – rarely are we allowed to experience failure and look at this as an enriching learning opportunity to grow from. However by sitting in the feelings of failure and realising that this can be OK (well, more than OK!) can offer a refreshing and rewarding education for improving and developing ourselves. 

By increasing our self-awareness, we can be better placed to navigate daily tasks, feel better prepared to take on challenges or new tasks, and keep a more positive outlook when faced with uncertainties. It can increase our resilience and determination, including raising self-motivation and confidence to take on newer roles or responsibilities and opportunities.

When choosing an empowerment practice, it’s worth being mindful and careful in what activity to do – knowing how far to push yourself and who you’re doing it with... Surrounding ourselves with supportive friends/guides/teachers and a safe environment will all help in making the experience a positive and rewarding one… 

Here are some simple self-empowerment practice ideas… 

• Try something new! New language, new food, new song, or visit a new place.
• Gently and calmly move a spider/wasp/creepy crawly from an unwanted space.
• Make a difference to your garden or an area outside.
• Push your physicality, such as raising your heart rate that little bit more, increasing some reps or distance, holding a challenging yoga pose.
• Volunteer or join a club/hobby group. 
• Climb a tree. 
• Walk barefoot. 
• Speak out loud in a group.
• Share a personal creativity, such as writing, photography, artwork, etc. 
• Lead others in a song (even when you feel your voice isn't perfect!). 

Regular empowerment practices can make a positive difference in your life… for example, when you're facing a challenge, remember a time when you felt uncomfortable or vulnerable or unsure of yourself, and then draw on the courage you had then to push through and overcome… and you still have this now.

This mindset will help to support and bolster you, increasing your self-esteem and ability to accomplish… and know that your light of empowerment can shine brightly.