Reflected back to you

Lately, people have been showing up for me in some really lovely, unexpected ways.

A local business owner who sent me a pamper voucher because she appreciated how I show up for our community (that really humbled me!). Someone posted me a birthday gift, saying that I make others feel seen and they wanted me to feel that too. Then my husband organised a thoughtful, carefully planned surprise, just because and my first thought.. “Why is everyone being so kind to me?”

A bigger question than I first realised and why was I doubting that I deserved it?

I’ve been working on my confidence, self-esteem, feeling more comfortable in myself and backing my decisions and I don’t know whether there’s more kindness comin

g my way or whether I’m getting better at noticing and receiving it, maybe it’s both!

Past Melanie could have a room full of kind people around her and still be thinking about the person who didn’t like her. I’ve spent plenty of time twisting myself into knots over opinions I couldn’t change and along the way, a small handful of people started to feel like everyone. But now I’m giving the good a much fairer hearing.

When someone says they appreciate me, I’m choosing to believe them and when someone does something kind, I’m leaning into it without wondering what I’ve done to deserve it. Paying attention to the people who check in, remember the little things and make room for me in their lives. And there is ALOT to appreciate when we actually let it count!

These recent gestures have reminded me how much it means to be noticed. Someone has thought about you, recognised something they value and taken the time to let you know, which in the middle of busy lives is a beautiful thing.

It makes me want to keep putting kindness out there, to send the message, give the compliment and tell someone you noticed how much effort they put in. Those small gestures help build the kind of community I want to belong to.

When that care comes back my way, I want to be present enough to receive it.

So spend time with the people who meet you with warmth, generosity and care, and give their words more room to settle. Perhaps there’s someone in your life whose kindness you’ve brushed off or whose compliment you’ve quickly explained away, I urge you to let it count!