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Choose the Clean Cup: The Power of Small Acts of Self-Love


Have you ever had one of those moments where you're about to make a decision—one that seems small and insignificant—and then a little voice inside your head stops you? It happened to me recently, and it sparked a deeper reflection on self-love and the way we treat ourselves in everyday life.

 

I was in the kitchen, reaching for a cup to make myself some coffee. My hand landed on a used mug that had already been sitting out. It wasn’t dirty, exactly, but it wasn’t fresh either. And just as I was about to say to myself, "That’ll do," I paused. Why was I settling for less than I deserved? Why was I reaching for the used cup when I could easily take a clean one from the cupboard?

 

This small action triggered a moment of clarity: I deserve the clean cup.

 

The Clean Cup as a Metaphor for Self-Love

 

It might sound trivial—it's just a cup, right? But what I realised in that moment is that the "clean cup" is a metaphor for how we choose to honour ourselves in the little actions we take every day. So often, we put the needs of others before our own, especially when we’re caregivers, parents, or leaders. We reach for the used cup and tell ourselves it’s good enough because we’re busy, because others need us, or because we’re simply not thinking about our own worth in that moment.

 

But here’s the truth: we are worthy of the clean cup. Every day, in the smallest of ways, we are given opportunities to treat ourselves with love, care, and respect. And those small actions—the choice to honour ourselves—add up.

 

Little Acts That Honour Ourselves

 

Self-love isn’t always about grand gestures like spa days or long vacations. It’s in the tiny decisions we make for ourselves, like:

  • Taking a break when we’re tired, instead of pushing through.

  • Choosing nourishing food, instead of what’s easiest.

  • Saying "no" to something that doesn’t serve us, even if it’s uncomfortable.


When I chose the clean cup, I was choosing to value myself in that moment. It wasn’t just about the coffee; it was about acknowledging that I deserve to be taken care of—by me. It’s easy to care for others, and I do it every day in my coaching and in my relationships. But how often do we remember to include ourselves in that circle of care?

 

Putting Ourselves Into the Mix

 

Many of us spend a great deal of time looking after others. We’re good at it—we nurture, support, and uplift those around us. But we often forget that we belong in the mix, too. When we consistently put ourselves last, we reinforce the idea that we aren’t as important as the people we care for. And that mindset can chip away at our well-being over time.

Choosing the clean cup is a simple, daily reminder that we matter. It's a tiny but significant way of putting ourselves back into the mix. It says: I deserve good things. I am worth the effort. I matter, too.

 

The Ripple Effect of Self-Love

 

What’s beautiful about these small acts of self-love is that they create a ripple effect. When we honour ourselves, even in the tiniest ways, we show up more fully for the people in our lives. We’re more energised, more present, and more able to give from a place of abundance rather than depletion.

 

So, the next time you’re faced with a small decision—whether to take the extra moment to do something kind for yourself—pause and ask, Do I deserve the clean cup? Because you do. We all do. By choosing the clean cup, you're choosing to honour your worth. And when you do that, you’re not just filling your own cup—you’re filling the cups of everyone around you with the overflow of your own self-love.

So today, I invite you: Choose the clean cup. Choose you. Every small act of self-care counts, and you deserve them all.



 

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