Take a Compliment
... and put it in a box. Make and doodle a simple paper box - and the next time you get a compliment, instead of shrugging it off, write it down and save it in your box for a down day.
For some inspiration, read the highlights of our Mums' Make Date on twitter where we talked complments and crafted boxes together.
instructions
Follow the steps below to make your box out of one sheet of A4 card or paper (as made by me and my nearly two year old...). Or watch the temporary video here (I'll work out how to upload this here soon...)
I'm talking in inches because I don't actually measure anything when I make these - basically make your folds about 2.5cm wide, or the distance from the top of your thumb to your first thumbjoint, whatever works best for you...
The two large rectangles marked out by your folds will form the top and bottom of your box.
Cut all the short folds that lead in from the wide side of your sheet of paper as per the first image below. Remember not to cut in any further in than your second fold (so that will be about two inches, 5cm, two thumb-joints, whatever you're measuring with...)
Next up, folding... Start working from the shorter end of your sheet of paper, making the very same fold you did at the beginning (only this time, they fold into cut strips, that you can fold in on another as below - bending the two cut flaps at point A in to join up with the single flap at B, also folded in. Tuck the wider flap C up and over these three bits and it should hold the side of your box in place. If you want it to look neater, you can glue or sellotape these bits down to the top of the box.
You can decorate your box any way you like. Doodle on it, paint it, cover it in stickers or collage, whatever makes YOU feel good. You might actually want your picture the other way up - this way it will open up backwards...
Now the important stuff... Think back to the last time you received a compliment. Can you remember it? Did you laugh it off? Write it down on a scrap of paper and add it to your box. Add as a many as you can remember, right now.
If you can't remember receiving any compliments ever, give yourself a compliment - what do you like about yourself? Write it down and add it to your box.
Even if you can remember HUNDREDS of compliments you've received, make sure you also give yourself some compliments from you for your box too.
After you've made your box, be sure to notice any time you get a compliment. And as soon as you get the chance, write it down to add to your box.
When you next feel good about something you did, or said, or felt, add another compliment about that to your box...
If you're feeling low, you'll be able to open up your box and remind yourself just how brilliant you are. (You probably deserve a gold star too, so take a look at this: How to be a Gold Star Mama).
We would love you to share a photo of your box with us to inspire other mums to take more compliments for themselves. So once you've made it, and given yourself a compliment or two, take a photo of your box, and click on 'join in' above.
NOTE: If you haven't registered with story of mum yet, you will see 'join us' on the button above - so click on it and fill in the quick registration form. You'll immediately receive an email that will allow you to log back in and join in any of the activities on the site. More information on joining us here.
After you've clicked on 'join in', you can upload your photo by clicking on 'choose file' to locate your photo on your computer, then on upload. Use the text box to share some of the compliments you've received with all of us!