Every year on 13th November, the world celebrates World Kindness Day, a reminder to be gentler, more compassionate, and more thoughtful toward others. But in a culture that glorifies busyness and productivity, there’s one person we often forget to show kindness to: ourselves.
At Scentered, we believe that kindness begins within. When you nurture your own wellbeing, emotionally, mentally, and physically, you create more space to show genuine care for others. This World Kindness Day, we’re exploring what it really means to be kind to yourself and how simple aromatherapy rituals can help you reconnect with calm, balance, and inner compassion.
Why Self Kindness Is So Important
We’ve all heard the saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Yet many of us continue to do just that, giving our energy to work, family, and friends while ignoring our own needs.
Practising self-compassion leads to greater resilience, lower stress levels, and improved emotional wellbeing. It’s not indulgence; it’s essential maintenance.
Being kind to yourself isn’t just about rest or reward, it’s about recognising your humanity. You’ll have good days and bad ones, times when things go well and times when they don’t. Extending patience and understanding to yourself, especially in those harder moments, is a quiet but powerful act of kindness.
Small Daily Acts of Self Kindness
Self-kindness doesn’t need to mean grand gestures or expensive treats. Often, it’s the tiny daily rituals that have the biggest impact, the things you do intentionally for your own peace of mind.
Start by asking yourself: When was the last time I paused just to breathe?
Taking a few moments to reset with scent is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to restore equilibrium. Our sense of smell is directly connected to the brain’s emotional centre, influencing mood, memory, and focus. That’s where aromatherapy comes in, offering a moment of calm in the middle of chaos.
The De-Stress Aromatherapy Balm is a perfect companion for everyday moments of tension. Infused with chamomile, neroli, and mandarin, it’s designed to help you slow down and soften the edges of a stressful day. Simply apply to your wrists or temples, inhale deeply, and let the blend guide you back to balance.
Kindness as a Sensory Ritual
It’s easy to underestimate how powerful sensory rituals can be in regulating our emotions. Whether it’s the warmth of a bath, the comfort of candlelight, or the familiar scent of your favourite balm, engaging the senses is a way of reminding the body that it’s safe.
On evenings when the world feels overwhelming, create a sanctuary for yourself. Dim the lights, put away your phone, and take a few mindful breaths. Light a Sleep Well Candle, its soothing notes of lavender, palmarosa, and ylang-ylang work together to promote deep rest and emotional release. As the gentle aroma fills the room, you might ask yourself: What would it look like to treat myself with the same care I give to others?
Pairing aromatherapy with mindfulness is a scientifically supported way to reduce stress. According to the Aromatherapy Journal of Holistic Health, essential oils stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for rest and recovery, helping to lower heart rate and cortisol levels naturally.
Setting Boundaries: A Form of Kindness
Being kind to yourself also means honouring your limits. Saying no doesn’t make you unkind, it makes you self-aware. In fact, establishing boundaries is one of the most compassionate things you can do for both yourself and those around you.
If you find it difficult to slow down, try incorporating short moments of stillness into your day. When you feel overwhelmed, pause and reach for the Focus Balm. The peppermint and rosemary essential oils can help bring clarity, supporting you to prioritise what really matters instead of stretching yourself too thin.
Boundaries protect your energy, and they also make the kindness you offer others more intentional. By taking care of your own needs first, you can give from abundance rather than exhaustion.
The Kindness of Routine
There’s comfort in repetition. Creating a ritual, however small, can anchor you amidst uncertainty. It could be a morning walk, an evening reflection, or a moment of scent-based calm before you start your day.
Try starting your morning with the Happy Balm, the bright citrus notes of grapefruit and lemon myrtle gently awaken the senses, helping to shift your mindset from autopilot to optimism. In the evening, transition to Sleep Well Balm as a cue to unwind and rest.
This daily rhythm of scent can act as a gentle reminder: I’m here, I matter, I deserve care.
It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing small things with presence.
Why Kindness Starts with Self-Acceptance
True self-kindness goes beyond pampering. It’s about self-acceptance, acknowledging your worth, even when you’re not at your best. When you practice compassion toward yourself, you set the tone for how others treat you, too.
You might notice that when you’re kinder internally, your external world starts to shift. You speak softer. You breathe slower. You respond with more patience. In turn, you create an atmosphere that radiates calm and compassion outward, which is what World Kindness Day is truly about.
Kindness You Can Share
One of the most beautiful things about practising self-kindness is that it naturally overflows to others. When you feel balanced, you’re better able to offer genuine empathy and connection.
Consider creating a “Kindness Kit” this November , a small gesture that encourages loved ones to pause and care for themselves, too.
Scentered’s Be Kind to Yourself Set includes carefully chosen aromatherapy blends that support calm, positivity, and emotional balance , making it a thoughtful way to celebrate both kindness and wellbeing.
Many people wonder, “Can self-care really make me more kind?”
The answer is yes, but not in the way you might think. Self-care helps regulate your nervous system, which directly impacts patience, empathy, and emotional regulation. When you feel centred, you’re naturally more understanding toward others.
Another common question is, “What if I don’t have time?”
Start small. A few mindful breaths with your favourite balm can take less than a minute, yet it can completely reset your emotional state. Over time, these moments build resilience.
And perhaps the most important question of all: “Isn’t self-kindness selfish?”
Not at all. When you take care of yourself, you become a calmer, kinder, more grounded version of you, and the world benefits from that energy.
This World Kindness Day, Start With You
As 13th November approaches, take this as your gentle reminder: you are worthy of the same kindness you so freely give to others.
Light that candle. Take that deep breath. Pause long enough to feel gratitude for the person you’re becoming.
Because kindness isn’t just an action, it’s a practice. And it starts, always, with you.
Celebrate kindness with the Be Kind to Yourself Set, designed to promote mindfulness and self-love. Discover more ways to restore balance in our Foot Acupressure wellbeing guide.