Create the Ripple

An illustrated figure stands holding a leaning stack of colourful labelled blocks in their arms. The blocks are marked “Mistakes”, “Guilt”, “Bad Memories”, “Pressure”, and “Expectations”, showing a heavy emotional load. The person wears red and green checked trousers, brown shoes, and a blue top. Their curly brown hair peeks out from behind the stack. The background is light beige with scattered small red dots. To the right, large handwritten text reads “IF IT IS TOO HEAVY, PUT IT DOWN”, each word placed on a muted tan oval. The style is playful, warm, and gently encouraging. Picture by joyfulsmolthings.

“You do not have to carry everything you’re handed.” Cheryl Richardson.

Some days are just heavier than others.

It’s ok to set something down. More than ok!

You don’t have to hold it all at once.

🧡

#SelfCompassion #kindness #gentleness

Picture by joyfulsmolthings

A white background filled with hand-drawn circular shapes in bright colours including yellow, orange, pink, red, green, teal, blue, and purple. Across the circles, in loose black handwritten text, it reads: “Some days we don’t feel like ourselves + that’s okay.” The illustration has a playful, reassuring feel, with soft lines and warm colours. Picture by anxiety.positive

“It’s okay if you’re not okay right now. You’re not meant to be a machine.” Matt Haig

Some days we don’t feel like ourselves, and it can catch us by surprise.

Those wibbly wobbly days are part of being human.

🧡
#kindness #positivity #SelfCompassion

Picture by anxiety.positive

A soft illustrated grid of nine small gift boxes, each with a different coloured ribbon. Around each box is a handwritten phrase: calm steady energy, freedom from expectation, soft slow paced days, ease on repeat, a quietness that settles, rest that truly restores, a gentle kind of merry, people that feel like home, peace that lingers. The title reads “All I want for Christmas is…” in simple lettering. The colours are muted pinks, greens and creams, giving a warm and soothing feel. Picture by Simply Anxious

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.” Robert Brault

The smallest moments often mean the most.

The simple things really do matter.

🧡

#kindness #gentleness #humanness

Picture by simply anxious

Alt text: A deep blue background with a hand drawn, slightly crumpled cream paper slip in the centre. The slip reads “Permission slip to be kinder to yourself today” in bold, simple lettering. The edges of the paper look softly shaded, giving it a gentle, illustrated feel. Picture by rumandraisin.studio

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” Buddha

We’re trying. We’re learning. We’re doing our best with what we have today.

Be a little kinder to yourself.

🧡 #kindness #positivity

Picture by rumandraisin studio

A bright, colourful illustration made up of bold vertical stripes in red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, purple and pink. Each stripe has a softly textured look, with simple hand drawn black stars scattered over the colours. In the centre is a large white cloud shape with smooth rounded edges. Inside the cloud, in thick black handwritten lettering, are the words: “I’m not sure how but I will.” Beneath the text is the handle @anxiety.positive. The overall feel is hopeful, energising and encouraging. Picture by anxiety.positive

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Arthur Ashe

Some days the list feels long and things feels unclear. Some days we don’t know where to begin.

Step by step, we keep moving and things start to come together.

🧡

#kindness #belief

Pic by anxiety.positive

A warm, hand drawn illustration with a deep burgundy background and bold, playful colours. At the top, large cream lettering reads, “You can be a kind person and still”. Beneath this is a collection of simple, cheerful drawings arranged in two rows. On the top row sits a rainbow in pink, red, and yellow; a butterfly with pink and purple wings and two small red hearts; and a bright red fruit with two orange segments and a single purple leaf. On the bottom row, hand written cream text appears beside matching illustrations: “say no” next to a pale pink flower, “disagree” with tiny yellow stars, “say the wrong thing” beside the red fruit, “stand up for yourself” next to the pink flower, “have bad moods” beside a blue and green globe with swirling clouds and a blue ring, and “make mistakes” beside an orange and yellow acorn with a small teal leaf. The entire artwork carries an encouraging, reassuring tone, reminding us that kindness includes imperfection. Picture by nikkimiles

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” Henry James

Kindness isn’t perfection. Kindness includes the moments where we get it wrong. Kindness begins with how we treat ourselves.

🧡

#kindness

Picture by nikkimiles

Illustration by joyfulsmoththings showing a large red mushroom with white spots standing in green grass, surrounded by simple green plants. A small yellow bee and a yellow butterfly fly either side of the mushroom with dotted flight trails. Soft white dots fill the pale blue sky, with two small golden sparkles on each side. The text at the top reads “I am not what happens to me. I am what I choose to become.”

“You have been given the freedom to choose. You are the one who determines what you will be.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

We’re learning, growing, and choosing our way forward.

We’re becoming more than we maybe realise.

Keep going.

🧡

#kindness #positivity #belief

Picture by joyfulsmoththings

What a lovely message, thank you so much. 🙏

An illustrated artwork in warm tones of yellow, orange and soft brown. Rounded cloud shapes layer outward from the centre with a dotted texture across each band of colour. In the middle, handwritten text reads: “We are all going through something and we all deserve love and understanding.” The overall feel is gentle, warm and reassuring. Picture by @joyfulsmolthings.

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” Amelia Earhart

We all have a lot going on in different ways. Kindness means more than we always realise. Small moments really do matter. 🧡

#kindness #humanness

Picture by @joyfulsmolthings

A hand drawn illustration of an orange prescription-style medicine bottle with a loosely sketched, ridged white lid. On the label, the word “GRATITUDE RX” is written in large, uneven, handwritten black letters. Beneath it, the label is divided into four horizontal sections outlined in orange. The first section has a small yellow sun beside the words “Take a dose every morning,” handwritten in black. The second section shows a blue eye symbol and the words “May cause shifts in perspective.” The third section features a pink heart icon next to the words “May cause feelings of abundance.” The fourth and final section shows a red circle with a diagonal line through it and the words “Decreased feelings of fear and anxiety.” The drawing has a soft, warm, uplifting feel, offering the idea of gratitude as a daily prescription for wellbeing.

“When we acknowledge what we are grateful for, every situation feels a little more workable.” Susan David.

Noticing the smaller everyday moments changes far more than we realise. Gratitude gives a little breathing room to move through today and everyday!

🧡

#kindness #Thanksgiving #gratitude

A brightly coloured hand drawn rainbow fills most of the image, made up of seven bold curved bands in red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, and purple. Each band contains hand written black text in an informal, playful font. The text reads: “You are allowed to make mistakes. There is no time limit to learning and growing. Keep messing up and know you are still so loved!” The rainbow sits against a pale pink background with soft horizontal wavy lines. At the bottom centre, beneath the final rainbow band, the credit “@Anxiety.Positive” is written in small black text. Picture by Anxiety.Positive

“You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time.” Sophia Bush.

We are learning. We are growing. We’re very likely to be doing far better than we tell ourselves.

🧡

#kindness #positivity #SelfCompassion

Picture by Anxiety.Positive

An illustrated image with the words “Sometimes you just gotta trust…” at the top. In the centre is a hand-drawn figure sitting cross-legged, looking thoughtful. A small robin sits beside them and a few autumn leaves float around. Surrounding the figure is a circle of soft blush and neutral shapes, each containing a different word: “yourself,” “the uncertainty,” “the timing,” “your gut,” “the slower pace,” “the pauses,” “the energy,” “the lessons,” “the redirections,” and “the process.” The layout feels gentle and reflective, highlighting the many small things we learn to trust within ourselves. Picture by simply_anxious

“As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Learn to trust your voice. Notice the nudges that matter. Become braver with what feels true for you.

🧡

#SelfTrust #kindness

Picture by simply_anxious

Thank you so much for such a lovely share, and wonderful encouragement and support. Thank you for lifting me up. 🧡

A close up photograph of a printed page titled “Let People Be” centred at the top in red text. Beneath the title is a thin red horizontal line. The main body of text is printed in black on textured off white paper and every line is highlighted in bright yellow. The highlighted section reads: “You know what’s underrated? Letting people be. Letting them mispronounce a word, talk too much about a show they love, or get excited about something you don’t understand. You don’t have to get it, just be kind. Everyone’s got something that lights them up. Let them shine, even if it’s not your thing.”

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of being.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

There’s something magical about letting people be.

Letting them shine in the ways that make sense to them.

🧡

#kindness #positivity #belief #compassion

An illustration featuring four bright rainbow coloured flower shapes arranged loosely on a clean white background. Each flower is filled with textured diagonal rainbow stripes in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple with a speckled hand drawn look. Each flower contains part of a message in bold black handwritten text that reads together: “Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t make a difference.” The artist credit “@Anxiety.Positive” appears beneath the bottom left flower.

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James.

You make more of a difference than you realise.

You show up, you try, you care…. what you do matters. You matter.

🧡

#kindness #positivity

Picture by Anxiety.Positive

Illustration with a soft, neutral background. Around the centre text “8 Signs That You Are Human,” eight small drawings are placed in a circular layout. Top left shows a torch and explorer hat with the caption “Not being prepared for every possibility.” Next is a green tent with the caption “You get sad for no reason sometimes.” A red lantern sits top right with the caption “You say the wrong thing.” On the right side is a campfire with a marshmallow roasting above it, captioned “You have weight fluctuations.” Bottom right shows binoculars with “Feeling unsure of what your next steps are.” Bottom centre displays two pine trees and stars with “Being productive one day and struggle the next.” Bottom left is a hiking backpack and canteen with “You feel confident or insecure depending on the day.” Left side shows a compass with “You change your mind.” Picture by @selfcare.recipe.

“You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” Brené Brown.

Being human means feeling deeply, caring about things that matter, finding our way through the good days, the harder moments, and everything else too.

🧡

#kindness #belief

Art by selfcarerecipe

… absolutely we can talk about pressure in a balanced way too - a manageable level that can help us focus and keep us moving. Completely agree.. it’s noticing when the dial has moved maybe a little too far. Wishing you a day ahead with just the right amount for you! 🤗

A bright red illustrated background covered in smiling pink hearts of various sizes, each drawn with a simple white line forming eyes and a curved smile. Small pink flowers and tiny sparkles are scattered between the hearts, giving the artwork a warm, cheerful feel. In the centre, handwritten cream text reads: “A lot of people just need someone to be kind and loving to them right now.” Artwork by Nikki Miles.

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of… No, not just for some but for everyone.” Burt Bacharach and Hal David, 1965

Love in all its forms is still one of the strongest things we can offer one another.

🧡

#love #kindness
Art by Nikki Miles

Illustration by Nikki Miles. A smiling yellow sun with soft pink cheeks sits at the top left. Flowing stripes in purple, pink, red and orange sweep across the image like a comet tail. Against a black star filled background, colourful hand drawn text reads “you don’t have to put yourself under so much pressure.” The style is playful and warm, with gentle textures and small stars scattered throughout.

“Learning to be gentle with yourself is one of the most important skills you’ll ever develop.” Kristin Neff

We’re allowed to ease our grip on the things we carry. A little softness towards ourselves can change so much.

🧡

#SelfCompassion #kindness

Picture by Nikki Miles

That’s a lovely message, thank you. 🧡

A hand drawn illustration in soft pink tones featuring a large tulip shaped outline with tiny pale dots throughout. Inside the tulip shape, the text reads: “Sending love to everyone who’s trying their best to heal from things that they don’t discuss.” The artwork has smooth, rounded lines and a calm, comforting feel, with the artist credit “@joyfulsmoothings” written along the lower edge. Picture by joyfulsmothings

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here’s to giving ourselves and others a little more room for whatever those inner stories may need.

🧡

#kindness #SelfCompassion

Picture by joyfulsmothings

Illustration of a soft, pastel landscape with a rounded green hill in the foreground, dotted with small white and yellow flowers and simple bushes. The hill has a smiling face in the centre and a patch of cream-coloured snow on top. Behind it, a rainbow with pink, orange, yellow, green, and purple arcs sweeps across the sky, also with a smiling face. The sky is turquoise with pale clouds and small yellow stars scattered around. The overall tone is gentle and uplifting, with a friendly, comforting style reminiscent of children’s picture books. The text on the illustration reads: “Some days will test you more than others; sometimes you’ll be able to rise to the challenge, other times you will need to step down and preserve your strength. Both are brave & valid.” Art by Laura jane illustrations

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

Some days take more energy than we planned for. Some days ask us to pause instead. Both are part of being human, and both deserve gentleness rather than judgement.🧡

#kindness #SelfCare

Art by LauraJaneIllustrations

A hand drawn illustration on a soft blue background with small white dots scattered like gentle snowfall. In the centre is an open cream envelope with pink hearts decorating the front and inside panels. A card pulls forward from the envelope. The top of the card has the word REMEMBER in large handwritten letters with a wavy underline. Beneath it, bold black lettering with soft pink highlights reads: You have survived every “I can’t do this” so far. The style is simple, warm, and encouraging, with the colours and hearts giving a sense of comfort and kindness. Picture by joyfulsmolthings

“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” Charles Glassman.

We’ve made it through the moments we once thought we couldn’t.

You’re doing more than you realise, and you’re finding your way.

🧡

#learning #belief #SelfCompassion #kindness

Picture by joyfulsmolthings

A bright and uplifting illustration featuring a full row of moon phases along the top and bottom of the image, each one shown in a different bold colour with a soft, grainy texture. The moons move in a rainbow sequence from left to right: a deep red crescent, an orange crescent, a bright yellow half moon, a green full moon, a turquoise half moon, a purple crescent and a pink crescent. In the centre of the image, large hand-drawn black lettering fills the space with the message: “Just because it’s taking time doesn’t mean it’s not happening.” The style of the text is playful and expressive, with slight variations in thickness giving it a hand-lettered, human feel. The overall tone of the graphic is positive, reassuring and gentle, with the coloured moon phases adding a sense of movement and progression. At the bottom, the artwork is credited to @anxiety.positive.

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
Vincent van Gogh

We’re moving, even on the days it doesn’t feel like it. Our efforts are adding up in ways we can’t always see.

Keep going. You’re closer than you think.

🧡

#kindness #positivity #belief
Art by Anxiety.Positive

A hand drawn illustration featuring a person with long brown hair parted in the middle, falling evenly over their shoulders. Their eyes are closed and their expression is tired and thoughtful, with soft pink circles on their cheeks and simple curved eyebrows. They are wearing a pink top with a scalloped collar and small blue circular earrings. At the centre of their forehead is an oval window showing a grey raincloud with droplets falling, symbolising a busy or overwhelmed mind. The background is a warm beige scattered with simple pink flowers of different sizes, each outlined in black with yellow centres. At the top of the image, in handwritten black lettering, are the words: “If it’s raining a lot in your head lately, think about all the future flowers that will come to you.” The overall style is soft, cartoon image by Joyfulsmolthings

“When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.” Haruki Murakami

When life feels a little cloudy in our head it’s ok to not have the answers.

We are finding our way through.. and it will make more sense, the flowers will appear.

🌼

#kindness

Art by @joyfulsmolthings

Sending warm wishes. 🧡

A bright turquoise background with a simple hand drawn illustration of three dandelions at different stages of growth. One is a fluffy white seed head with fine black detailing. One is a yellow dandelion with a smiling face drawn in the centre. One is a closed bud tilted slightly to the side. All three grow from a cluster of long green leaves that spread outwards. Small purple heart icons sit near the dandelions. To the right of the illustration is the text: “It’s okay if you don’t feel strong all the time. (please don’t beat yourself up for it) SelfLoveRainbow”. The overall tone is gentle and reassuring, with a clean, simple, uplifting style.

“Be gentle with yourself. You are doing the best you can.” Paulo Coelho

Some days don’t feel easy. We are more than allowed to have those moments without judging ourselves.

You’re still showing up in ways that matter.

🧡

#kindness #positivity

Picture by SelfLoveRainbow

A vibrant rainbow illustration spreading in wide curved bands from the top of the image to the bottom. The colours move from yellow and orange at the top into pink, red, purple, blue and finally green toward the bottom. Across the rainbow, in bold hand drawn black lettering, the message reads: “Be kind. You never know what someone is going through.” Small white heart doodles are scattered across the rainbow. The bottom curve shows the artist credit “@anxiety.Positive.” The overall tone of the artwork is warm, gentle and reassuring.

“Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” Harold S. Kushner

Kindness reminds us we’re not on our own.
🧡

#kindness #positivity #WorldKindnessDay

Picture by anxiety.positive

Sending lots of ripples and hugs 🥰

Illustration of three smiling candles — one in a pink floral teacup, one in a small woven holder, and one standing on a soft pink background. Text reads: “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” Artwork by @joyfulsmolthings.

“We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.” Brené Brown

Kindness shared is light multiplied.

🧡

#kindness #connection

Picture by @joyfulsmolthings