Improve Your Day Without Kale
So let’s just say kale is not my fav. I get that it’s good for you and all but it doesn’t exactly improve my day. Tarot, on the other hand, surely does. So let’s try that instead (sorry, kale!).
Sometimes self-improvement is about self-love.
When I find myself slipping into a less self-supportive space, I have to acknowledge what is pulling me there. Whether it’s self-criticism, anger at myself for my inadequacy of not achieving more or annoyance that wherever I am isn’t where I want to be, I have to give myself permission to take a break.
A Simple Tarot Ritual For Self Improvement
If your mood could use improvement think about doing a simple single card pull for clarity. Take a moment to center yourself. Burn some incense if you enjoy it.
1. Frame your question. For example, “What does Spirit need me to know about how I’m feeling right now?”
2. Shuffle the deck and then cut it three times while focusing on your question.
3. Pull just one card. Let its meaning wash over you.
4. Journal about your thoughts.
Practical Steps To Improve Your Mindset
I like to look at The Hermit to remember self-reflection is needed. As a person who is not always in touch with her immediate feelings, that self-reflection helps me better identify what I can do to reduce my anxiety. I actively remind myself the answers just require me to take a look.
1. Avoid comparing yourself to an idealized version of what you “should” be.
The Hermit helps us remember our journey is our own. The way we walk through life is not a competition or a race. We have to do thing our own way and in our own time. If I feel like I am not doing enough it’s an internalized sense of inadequacy that’s tripping me up at that moment. I have tried to use a framework that helps me move in a better direction by changing the way I am thinking about myself.
There is a time and place to dream about the you that you aspire to be. That’s a good reason to look for opportunities to grow. You can take a small risk to see how things work out and hopefully avoid falling into the habit of “compare and despair.”
2. Accept you are enough right here and now.
Right here and now, I’d like to affirm you are enough. If we tell ourselves we aren’t it really doesn’t make things better. Even though there are things you might want to work on, it’s important to recognize life is truly a journey not a destination.
There will always be more to work on. Take a step. Even a small one and when you do you need to recognize that life is about progress not perfection. I find journaling helps me be more objective about my accomplishments. Keeping a self-affirmation page can help if you’re feeling down.
If you find yourself repeating negative self-talk, pause and reflect. You are enough. The Strength card reminds us that we can overcome our fears. We can exert our agency over the criticism that we are somehow incomplete just as we are.
3. Choose the goal that most suits you and do something to move the needle forward.
Knowing you want to build a more harmonious life for yourself should be a good source of motivation. Breaking down your goal in bite-sized pieces so you can walk forward is where some people get over-whelmed. Nothing can be tougher than trying to map out every single step before you even take the first so instead just do the next thing.
Just as the Seven of Pentacles reminds us our hard work can deliver just rewards, it is important to not merely tread water with the idea of wanting more. Replace your fears about not getting there with enthusiasm about the opportunity to improve.
If you release the need to know every step between here and there and instead reframe your focus on completing just one step it frees your consciousness to absorb the wisdom of your intuition. Often, many know and understand what they need to do directly next. So embrace that process.
When I started my tarot deck designs, I didn’t know what the whole thing would look like. Instead I just focused on doing the cards in order and doing each one well. Some I redrew and others came through clearly right away. I constantly had to fight my anxiety about the steps to publication I didn’t entirely know or understand.
Just take the next step. Your real gifts will emerge when you speak to yourself lovingly and encouragingly.
