Want a simple way to take care of your mind? Try “Message Yourself”

We all use WhatsApp’s “message yourself” feature, usually for forwarding important messages or by using it as a to-do list or a grocery list. But what if we started using it as a space for emotional regulation?

So many things happen in a day, many of which we want to get off our chest. But we can’t always share them with someone right away, and waiting gets difficult.

For that, I have a saying:

“If you are not expressing,

you are storing it;

and it gets more uneasy!”

– www.ExpressUneasiness.com

In those moments, we could message ourselves and talk to ourselves the way we would talk to someone very close; someone who cares about us and would want to hear.

It could be a form of journaling. You can click and share pictures or record audio/video messages as well.

Message yourself, because when you do, you build a better connection with yourself. And when that connection suggests you could use some help from others, believe it, because you know what’s best for you 🤗

So, by messaging yourself, you aren’t doing anything new, because we talk to ourselves in our head all the time. What is new is that your inner critic can stay out of it!

That’s a big deal. How?

When we process things in our minds, we don’t always have control. Our inner critic can show up whenever it wants, and it’s hard to get rid of it. But when you are doing it physically, your fingers are in control of what you write; not the critic. That conscious act can keep it in check, and also you could edit your words for better self-talk 🤝

Optimistic vibes only 🌱

Doesn’t that sound good? Let me know how you plan to use “Message Yourself.” I’ll be curious to know about your experiences! 🤗

My niece asked for my help with her school project; she came with questions, but what I said left her in dismay!

I said, and I quote: “I don’t answer questions, I help you with finding the answers.”

Clearly, she was disappointed, and the look she shot me was priceless 😾

After she tried a few things, I offered a guiding idea. Her immediate reaction was, “Why didn’t you just give me that earlier?! 😹”

My reason is simple: I want her to engage her brain 🧠

By refusing to give direct answers, I created a space for her to try her best first. Only after she had put in the effort did I provide the nudge she needed.

Why did I do that?

The reality today is that many people give up too easily when facing a challenge, especially under pressure. My niece started her project at 8 pm for a deadline the next morning. Situations like this, with tight deadlines, the pressure for perfection, high expectations… are incredibly stressful.

So they look for shortcuts: Google, AI, or even someone else doing their work in the name of taking help. But does that really help in the long run?

I have known parents not only helping a little bit but doing such school projects by themselves because that feels easier than patiently guiding their ward through the stress, uncertainty and confusion while doing something new.

The concern is when it is repeated, it would create a cycle where the kid will never build the resilience to handle challenges independently. And if so, then what would happen to their dreams of becoming doctors, engineers, or anything ambitious like problem solvers for the world?

These professions are not about knowing all the answers; they’re about figuring out solutions when no textbook has the exact answer.

As elders, I think, it’s our responsibility not to hand out ready-made answers but to guide them in the process of discovery. That’s how we nurture creativity, confidence, patience and self-reliance—the qualities tomorrow’s world will truly need 🌱