Giving myself a checkmark for the day.

I look back on my day with a list titled 'Today's Good Things List'.
That is my daily routine.

This list is something I write every night before bed, recalling the events of the day.
It doesn't matter how small the things are. In fact, the smaller, the better.
For example, things like 'I ate three proper meals today' or 'I refreshed myself by taking a bath'—most of them are things that might seem obvious at first glance.
By writing down as many of these as possible, I give myself a checkmark, telling myself, 'I did my best today'.

I've been doing this for over half a year now, which I think is quite a long time for someone like me who is a typical quitter.

When talking about this routine, I cannot leave out my hairdresser, M.
I met her when I was a freshman in college, so before I knew it, we've known each other for 15 years.

Even when M changed workplaces, or when I got a job and moved far away, I always went to get my hair cut by her.
My parents are baffled, asking, 'Why don't you just go to a nearby salon?', but I intend to keep going to her.
That is not only because of M's skill and personality, but also because she has become a major source of mental support for me.

For me, who is negative and has low self-esteem.

I used to work as a civil servant, but I developed panic disorder due to work stress, which led me to resign.
During my nine and a half years as a civil servant, I experienced a lot of hard work and power harassment, so my resignation due to stress could be called inevitable.
Naturally, my mental state was in tatters.

Even in that state, when I went to M's place, my heart would be cleansed along with my hair.

While she cut my hair, I would pour out my worries and she would encourage me.
The salon where M works was like a mental clinic for me.

That day, too, I opened the door to the salon with a shattered mental state.
Even though it was a day off, I couldn't get work out of my head, and I must have been radiating negative energy at full blast.
Still, M treated me brightly; she is truly a professional in customer service.

After she washed my hair and I sat in my usual seat, the consultation called a haircut began.
A young man with hollow eyes opened his mouth and muttered.

'I really have low self-esteem.'

That is not the kind of thing you talk about at a hair salon.
However, the topics of conversation with M are often about business theory or philosophy.
Most of our conversations are quite intellectual, such as 'What does it mean to work?' or 'Things I learned by letting go of possessions'.
I don't recall any trendy talk about popular songs or fashion.
Anyway, this kind of topic is not unusual between M and me.

Let's get back to the story.
More haggard than usual, I was disgusted with myself.
I want to change myself. But I can't.

To me, M said this while putting scissors to my grown-out black hair.

'You should give yourself a little checkmark.'

A checkmark?
At first, I didn't understand what she meant.
M continued.

'It doesn't matter how small the thing is. In fact, the smaller, the better. If you give yourself many little checkmarks, it will lead to confidence.'

When I looked it up later, it seems to be something called the 'Enhancing Effect'.
To put it very simply, it means that being praised increases motivation.
It seems to be a psychological term, but I never expected to learn about its existence at a hair salon.

I was impressed, but it would be a little later that I actually put this into practice.

After resigning from the civil service, I moved to a different region and started working at a new company.
However, I developed panic disorder again (this time with adjustment disorder as well) and resigned in less than a year.
I had nothing but anxiety about my future.

That was when I suddenly remembered M's advice about 'giving yourself a checkmark'.
I don't know how effective it is, but it's better than doing nothing.
Recall what happened that day.

I ate three proper meals.
I usually take a shower, but I refreshed myself by taking a bath.
I woke up early.
I took out the trash.
I cleaned.
I cooked for myself.
I did the laundry.

…Huh?
I'm doing great, aren't I?
I'm working hard, aren't I?

I felt like I liked myself a little bit more.

In the days of being overwhelmed, it's easy to lose sight of what's important.
But that is exactly why giving yourself a little checkmark might be the secret to enjoying every day.
Because happiness is always close by.

Thinking about that, I will probably make 'Today's Good Things List' at the end of the day today as well.

#MyHabits