I have a lot to do before going away, so as a kindness to myself, I’ve decided to keep this writing brief. I am trusting that whatever reaches you will carry a message of self-kindness and self-compassion, and that will be enough.

This morning, I visited the Bempton bird cliffs once again. I sought out the spot I had discovered a couple of weeks ago, just above the gannet nest I wrote about previously. I had a rather comical time trying to see if there was an egg! The female gannet sat diligently on the nest, but every time she moved or stood up to stretch, her body blocked my view of the full nest area.

I stayed there for ninety minutes, patiently observing, until I could see clearly enough to confirm that there was no egg. During that time, I found myself murmuring something anthropomorphic to the female: “That’s okay. In your own time. And if no egg comes, that’s fine too.” She was enough, simply being herself. Watching her, I was struck by how magnificent and beautiful she is, without needing to do anything, without needing to produce anything.

This brought to mind a simple but powerful self-kindness invitation: notice the moments when your inner voice tells you that you, or something you are doing, is not enough. Perhaps you feel pressure to achieve, to perform, to produce. And yet, just like the female gannet, you are already enough simply by existing, simply by being yourself.

Today, let yourself bring in a gentle, soothing voice of self-compassion. Speak to yourself as you would to someone you love, softly, patiently, and without judgment. Just as the gannet was lovable without needing to lay an egg, you are lovable and worthy exactly as you are.

Take a moment today to notice and honour the simple act of being. It is often enough.