Create the Ripple

Colourful illustrated artwork on a deep red background with handwritten cream text reading “You can be a kind person and still”. Surrounding the text are playful illustrations including a rainbow, butterfly with heart shapes on its wings, peach, flower, planet Earth with a ring, and an acorn. Additional handwritten phrases say “say no”, “disagree”, “say the wrong thing”, “stand up for yourself”, “have bad moods”, and “make mistakes”. The overall feel is warm, reassuring, and human, celebrating kindness alongside boundaries and imperfection. Picture by Nikki Miles

“Caring for myself is not self indulgence, it is self preservation.” Audre Lorde

Kindness doesn’t require perfection. It may include boundaries, honesty, bad days, and mistakes.

Looking after yourself is part of being human.

🧡

#kindness #SelfCompassion #SelfBelief

Picture by Nikki Miles

Illustrated image titled “A closed door…” showing six different closed doors arranged in two rows of three. Each door is a different colour and style. Under each door is a short statement: one says a closed door might have nothing worthwhile behind it; another says it gives time to consider other doors; another suggests it may be saying “not yet” instead of “never.” The lower row includes messages about offering an opportunity for a new door to open, redirecting you towards a better path, and saving you from loss, pain, or heartache. The overall tone is gentle, reflective, and reassuring. Picture by Positively Present.

“An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backwards. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming.”

Some doors may be protecting us or pointing us elsewhere.

🧡

#kindness

Art by Positively Present

Illustrated image in warm yellow and gold tones with soft flowing lines and small dotted details. Handwritten black text in the centre reads “Just because you carry it well, doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy.” The overall feel is gentle, reflective, and supportive. Picture by @joyfulsmolthings

“We adjust to things. We get used to things.” Joan Didion

We adapt in ways we don’t always notice. We carry on, manage, and cope. And sometimes it’s only later that we realise how much we were holding.

Be kind, always.

🧡

#kindness #care #compassion

Picture by @joyfulsmolthings

Lovely share, thank you. 🧡

An illustration of layered heart shapes in warm shades of yellow, amber, and orange, outlined in black with dotted textures throughout. In the centre, handwritten text reads: “Your ability to feel other people’s pain doesn’t mean it’s your responsibility to fix it.” Picture by @joyfulsmolthings Picture by @joyfulsmolthings

“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” Brené Brown

Caring deeply is a beautiful thing, so is knowing where your responsibility ends.

Be here. Care fully. Let go of what isn’t yours. 🧡

#kindness

Art by joyfulsmolthings

A soft illustrated image on a cream background showing nine small hand drawn mugs and cups arranged in a grid. Each cup is paired with handwritten words: a hug, a break, a cry, a rest, to feel loved, some space, some peace, a little ‘me’ time, and a friend. Small pink hearts sit near the title text at the top which reads “sometimes all we need is…”. The colours are gentle pastels and the overall feeling is warm, calm, and reassuring. Picture by Simply Anxious.

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

Some days are a little harder than others.
And sometimes what helps is something human.

Space, a pause, time to be, a cry, a little peace….

🧡

#kindness #SelfCompassion

Art by Simply Anxious.

A bright illustration of a rainbow sweeping diagonally across a white background, painted in bold brush strokes of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and pink. Over the rainbow is hand lettered black text that reads: “Positivity doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time. It means that even on the hard days, you know that better ones are ahead.” The overall tone is warm, encouraging, and playful. Picture by anxiety.positive

“ #Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.” Václav Havel

#Positivity is choosing to believe there’s a way through, even when it’s not clear yet. Better days can still be ahead. 🧡

Art:anxietypositive

An illustrated image titled “This week’s ‘TO DOs’” on a soft neutral background. Nine small paper notes are taped up in a three by three grid, each with a small coloured heart in the corner. The notes read: “less tryin more being”, “less rushin more savouring”, “less chaos more calm”, “less doubtin more trustin”, “less thinking more living”, “less forcing more flowing”, “less comparin more self love”, “less pressure more patience”, and “less ‘why me’ more ‘try me’”. The overall tone is gentle, reassuring, and reflective, encouraging a focus on how we want to be rather than what we need to do. Picture by Simply Anxious.

“Who you are is far more important than what you do.” Carl Rogers.

To do lists do help us get things done.
To be lists help us decide how we want to show up.

Maybe a little less rushing, less forcing, more patience, more being, more self love.

🧡

#learning #kindness #being

Art by simply anxious

Borrowed from the amazing joyfulsmolthings. I love all of her art! xx

A warm, hand drawn illustration on a soft beige background with scattered brown dots. Large rounded lettering in warm brown and cream reads “Be kind to the parts of you that are still learning.” Butterflies in shades of brown, cream, and soft orange sit around the edges, alongside small simple flowers. The overall style feels gentle, encouraging, and playful, with a cosy, comforting tone. Picture by @joyfulsmolthings

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou

We’re all still learning.

New days ask new things of us, even with familiar spaces and faces. Kindness to ourselves helps us notice and keep growing.

🧡

#learning #kindness

Art by @joyfulsmolthings

Illustrated image with a soft blue, purple, and pink sky filled with clouds, small white dots like stars, and simple black outlined birds. In the centre is a large white cloud containing hand drawn text highlighted in lilac that reads “Don’t forget to imagine the best case scenario too!” The overall tone is calm, hopeful, and uplifting. Picture by Joyfulsmolthings

“What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”
Erin Hanson

It’s easy to imagine what might go wrong. We don’t always leave space for what could go right.

Hope and pragmatism can sit side by side.

What’s the best case scenario?

🧡

#possibility #optimism

Art by Joyfulsmolthings

A colourful illustrated square image with a cream background and playful border tiles featuring smiley faces, hearts, butterflies, mushrooms, stars, and ladybirds in soft pastel colours. In the centre, handwritten-style black text reads “Congrats on your failures, most people don’t even try,” highlighted with yellow brush strokes behind each line of text. Small decorative sparkles and dots appear around the words, giving the image a warm, encouraging feel. The artist’s handle “@joyfulsmolthings” appears near the bottom of the main text. Picture by joyfulsmolthings.

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Samuel Beckett

Mistakes made. Lessons learned. Trying matters. Learning matters.

And sometimes, trying again matters too.

Be gentle with yourself.

🧡

#learning #humanness #kindness

A simple black and white illustration with handwritten text on the left that reads: “Hey. You’re dealing with a lot. There are likely no easy answers. Just wishing you good luck as you face another day of it all.” On the right is a friendly cartoon dinosaur with a soft green body, small arms, visible teeth, and pink spikes along its back. The overall tone is caring, reassuring, and lightly playful. Picture by Beth Evans.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

We’re often dealing with a lot and there aren’t always easy answers.

Wishing you steadiness and kindness as you face another day of it all.

🧡

#kindness #compassion

Picture by Beth Evans

“People may forget what you said, people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

How we make others feel about themselves really matters. It’s the smallest moments that often stay with us the longest.

🧡

#kindness

Art by joyfulsmolthings

A bright hand drawn illustration with layered, wavy rainbow bands flowing diagonally across a white background. Bold black hand lettered text reads “Breaking a pattern means responding differently.” The colours are soft and grainy with a chalk like texture. The creator handle @anxiety.positive appears at the bottom. Picture by anxiety.positive

“Habits are not destiny.” Charles Duhigg

We’re not stuck. What repeats can be changed.

Small responses, chosen with care, can open something new.

Be kind with yourself as you notice what you’re ready to do differently. 🧡

#habits #beliefs #kindness

Picture by anxiety.positive

So kind, your message made me smile, thank you. 🤗

A bright, playful illustrated poster filled with pastel shapes including hearts, stars, flowers, squiggles and abstract forms in yellow, blue, pink, green and lilac on a white background. In the centre is a block of text in mixed colours and a friendly rounded font that reads: “Find the things, the people and places that make you feel like your best self. The things that make you feel whole. Hold on to all of them. Repeat them over and over again. Fill yourself up with them. For when you are lost and struggling to find your way, these are the things, the people and places that will help you to remember who you are again.” The overall feel is warm, encouraging and uplifting. Picture by Jess Rachel Sharp

“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” Maya Angelou

Some days we may forget who we are. There are places, people and moments that remind us.

Hold onto what helps you feel like yourself again. 🧡

#kindness #SelfWorth #learning #humanness

Picture by Jess Rachel Sharp

That’s a very fair point… 😬

ALT text: A gentle illustrated image on a white background titled “Days that can make it all feel a little better”. It shows six small, calming drawings representing comforting moments, including spending time with someone who understands, being alone with a coffee and cake, having no plans with books and blankets, being out in nature with wellington boots and a flask, a peaceful mind, and simply being with a warm drink in hand. The colours are muted and soothing, with a handwritten style throughout. Picture by simply_anxious

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”Anne Lamott.

Even a small pocket of time can help us settle and feel a little better. Soft pauses can so very often matter more than we often realise.

🧡

#peace #SelfCompassion #kindness

Art by simply anxious

A photo of a whiteboard with handwritten black text that reads: “Don’t think you’re being weak for sometimes wanting to hide away. You are tired from being strong. It takes strength to face the world every day.” The whiteboard has a silver frame, rounded corners, and is photographed against a neutral background. Picture by @allontheboard

“Caring for myself is not self indulgence, it is self preservation.” Audre Lorde

You’re not weak for feeling tired. It’s human to need space, softness, and a pause.

Showing up again tomorrow, or whenever… in whatever way you can, still counts.

🧡

#kindness #SelfCompassion

Image AllOnTheBoard

A simple hand drawn illustration on a white background. At the top, handwritten text reads “I’ve spent so much time making space for others. I forgot I’m allowed in the room too.” Below is a partially open door in soft brown tones with a small hanging sign that says “welcome.” On the floor is a doormat reading “hello” with a small heart. A small potted plant with green leaves sits beside the door. The style is gentle, warm, and minimalist. Picture by Beth Evans.

“You don’t have to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.” Penny Reid

So many of us make space for others without question. Caring, accommodating, holding things together.

And sometimes we forget…we are allowed in the room too. You matter too.

🧡

#kindness #SelfCompassion

Art by Beth Evans

🧡🧡🧡

A bright, playful illustrated image on a light blue background with small white dots scattered throughout. Large, colourful buttons in red, orange, yellow, green, pink and purple sit around the edges, each with visible stitch holes, giving a soft, handmade feel. In the centre, hand drawn black text appears on white brush stroke shapes and reads: “Stop measuring your days by degree of productivity and start experiencing them by degree of presence.” Small yellow sparkles are dotted around the text. The overall style is warm, friendly and encouraging. Picture by joyfulsmolthings

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Annie Dillard

Productivity gets a lot of attention. It’s our presence that can really change how the day actually feels.

🧡

#kindness #productivity #presence

Picture by joyfulsmolthings

A colourful illustrated image titled “January Self Care” by Positively Present. The graphic shows hand drawn icons and words encouraging gentle self care ideas such as slowing down, noticing beauty, resting, going on an adventure, expressing love, spending time outside, keeping warm, creating something, and letting go of expectations. Small stars are scattered across a white background, giving the image a warm, thoughtful, and encouraging feel. Picture by Positively Present

“Caring for myself is not self indulgence, it is self preservation.” Audre Lorde.

Looking after ourselves can be one small choice. Sometimes it’s choosing ourselves a little sooner.

🧡

#SelfCare #kindness #wellbeing

Image by positively present

A bright, playful illustration filled with large hand drawn stars in bold colours including pink, yellow, blue, green, orange and red, set against a pale background. In the centre is a soft white cloud shape containing hand lettered black text that reads, “Take a moment to be so proud of yourself + all you have achieved.” The overall tone is warm, encouraging and celebratory. Picture by anxiety.positive

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Winnie the Pooh

At the start of a new year, pause to recognise what we’ve achieved… the showing up, resilience, kindness and progress that often goes unnoticed.

It matters.🧡

#kindness

Art by anxiety positive

A colourful illustrated poster titled “How to have the best year” by Positively Present. The image shows hand drawn icons scattered across a white background with small yellow stars throughout. Illustrations include scissors cutting a ribbon to represent letting go of negativity, a tablet and pen for doing what you love, a globe and books for learning new things, a sleep mask and moon for rest and self care, gloves holding a heart for gratitude, a paint palette and guitar for hobbies and creativity, a heart for friendships, dumbbells and a yoga mat for movement, a folded map for exploration, musical notes, a disco ball, and a silhouette of a cat beneath the moon representing feelings and reflection. The overall tone is warm, playful, and encouraging, with soft pastel colours and simple line drawings. Picture by Positively Present.

“Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed.” Corita Kent.

A reminder that the best year is so often built through the smaller everyday moments that shape our days.

Wishing you a Happy New Year.

🧡

#kindness #NewYear #moments

Art by Positively Present.

A square illustration in layered shades of purple and lilac, made up of soft, rounded cloud like shapes that ripple outwards from the centre. The background features small white polka dots scattered evenly across the layers. In the centre, inside a pale lilac cloud shape outlined in black, handwritten black text reads: “You gain more from trying and failing than from never trying at all.” The illustration has a gentle, playful, hand drawn style with smooth curves and a calming colour palette. The artist’s handle “@joyfulsmothings” appears in the bottom right corner.Picture by joyfulsmothings

“What if I fall?”
“Oh but my darling, what if you fly?”
Erin Hanson

Giving it a go doesn’t mean it has to be perfect. Mistakes are part of our trying, and trying is how we learn what’s possible…

Why not give it a go?

🧡

#belief #kindness #NewYear

A calming illustrated image on a soft cream background scattered with small pale pink flowers. At the top, handwritten text reads: “These ‘in between’ days where less is more.” Below, nine gentle illustrations are arranged in a loose grid. They include cosy winter scenes such as hands holding a warm mug, slippers, a hot water bottle, folded blankets, and cups of tea. Each illustration is paired with handwritten phrases including “less thinking,” “less rushing,” “less performing,” “less feeling guilty,” “less shoulds,” “less trying too hard,” “less worrying,” “less noise,” and “less needing to.” The overall tone is soothing, reflective, and comforting, evoking rest and permission during the days between Christmas and New Year. Picture by simply_anxious.

“The more you know, the less you need.” Yvon Chouinard

These in between days can feel a bit scruffy and undefined. Less can be so much more…

Less rushing. Less needing to. Less explaining.

Just room to be with what’s already enough.

🧡

#kindness #simplicity #SelfCare

Image by Simply Anxious

A black background with the heading “Things that are okay” written in large white hand drawn lettering at the top. Beneath the heading are nine brightly coloured circles arranged in three rows of three. Each circle contains white handwritten text. The phrases read: “Saying no,” “Not doing anything,” “Spending time alone,” “Being different,” “Feeling messy emotions,” “Choosing yourself,” “Making mistakes,” “Having a bad day,” and “Doing what feels right.” The circles are in red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, purple, pink, and pale pink, creating a supportive and reassuring feel. At the bottom of the image is the handle @anxiety.positive. Picture by @anxiety.positive

“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, not what’s left of you.” Katie Read

Giving ourselves permission means recognising rest, saying no, time alone, messy emotions and choosing what feels right are all valid.

We don’t need permission to be human.

🧡

#kindness

Art by @anxiety.positive

An illustrated image showing a person with closed eyes and a gentle smile, framed inside a large heart shape formed by two orange sleeves and hands meeting at the top. Inside the heart, handwritten text reads: “You deserve the attention and care that you give everyone else.” The background is a warm cream colour with small floral and dot details in orange and brown tones. The overall feel is soft, comforting and reassuring, conveying self care, kindness and emotional warmth. Picture by Joyfulsmolthings

“Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean ‘me first’ … it means ‘me too.’” L.R. Knost.

A reminder that caring for yourself sits alongside caring for others.

You aren’t asking for the world, you’re simply asking for a place in it too.

🧡
#SelfCare #kindness #compassion

Picture by joyfulsmolthings