On this special bonus episode we’re celebrating Leap Day with mindfulness.
Episode Notes
Like You is listener supported. You can support the show by subscribing on Apple Podcasts or becoming a patron on Patreon. You can also support the show by shopping in our online store or purchasing songs from the show on our Bandcamp page.
Please send us a voice memo, drawing, or letter at hello@likeyoupodcast.com. We play a voice memos from listeners either at the beginning of an episode or during the affirmation segment of the episode. If your child wants to be included, record a voice memo and send it to us. Your child can introduce themself and then say a favorite affirmation, sing a line from a Like You song, say what they like about the show, or share whatever they feel! Keep it short (10-20 seconds). For more info on how to record and send a voice memo, see this post, or click here.
Like You is a production of Perpetual Motion. The show is written and produced by Noah Glenn. The show’s artwork was illustrated by Mia Saine. Episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn.
This episode features original music by Noah Glenn.
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Transcript
Hey everyone! I’m so glad to be your podcast friend. Listener support is what makes this podcast possible. When you sign up for a Like You Subscription you gain access to special bonus content, like bite-sized Affirmation episodes, music, and other special perks. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing through Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Find more information in our episode notes. Thanks! And here’s today’s show.
[intro music]
Noah: Hello! I’m Noah and this is Like You: Mindfulness for Kids. I’m so glad you’re here. On this special bonus episode we’re celebrating Leap Day with mindfulness. So listeners of all ages, find a place to listen where you feel comfortable and safe. Remember, you’re always welcome to interact with this podcast by speaking up to answer my questions or by repeating affirmations aloud. Or if you prefer, you can just think your responses quietly in your mind.
Leap Day only comes along once every 4 years. So I thought I should take this rare opportunity to look for mindfulness in Leap Day together. So what is Leap Day anyway? Well each year has 365 days, right? That’s how long it takes the Earth to make one full orbit around the sun, which is how we measure a year. But did you know there’s actually an extra 6 hours in each year? So what happens with those extra hours? Every 4 years those extra hours add up to a whole extra day. We call it a Leap Year and we get 366 days. We add the extra day at the end of our shortest month, so this year, February has 29 days.
Let’s do a Leap Day breathing exercise. Here’s how it goes. Take deep breaths in and out. Every 4th breath, stop and hold your breath for a leap breath before you breathe out again. Let’s try it. Deep breath in… and out. That’s one. Breathe in… and out. That’s two. Breathe in… and out. That’s three. Breathe in… now hold it for a leap breath… and breathe out. Good! Let’s do it again. Deep breath in… and out. In… and out. Breathe in… and out. Breathe in… hold it for a leap breath… and breathe out. One more time. Deep breath in… and out. In… and out. Breathe in… and out. Breathe in… hold it for a leap breath… and breathe out.
Now on the count of three let’s all say I like me. 1-2-3. I like me.
I like you too. As you grow, you’ll get bigger, and you’ll change in many ways on the inside and the outside. But deep down inside you’ll always be the same you. And that’s the perfect thing for you to be. I’m so glad you’re you!
I want to give you one other way of thinking about Leap Day. Our calendar has the number of days, weeks, and months it has in order to line up closely with the orbit of the earth. But it doesn’t line up perfectly. Our calendar gradually gets slightly out of sync with the orbit. So every 4 years we have to re-sync or realign everything to line up again.
Do you ever feel like you’re getting out of sync with who you’d like to be? For instance, maybe you think of yourself as a very kind person, but every once in a while you do or say something mean. We all fall short of who we would like to be sometimes. So why not use Leap Day to re-sync or realign yourself with who you want to be?
Take a moment to think about the qualities that are most important to you and who you want to be. I’ll name a few to give you some ideas, but you can come up with your own as well.
Kind. Funny. Generous. Smart. Relaxed. Carefree. Happy. Helpful. Active. Healthy. Do any of these words describe the kind of person you want to be? Take a few moments to choose 1 or 2 words that describe who you hope to be.
Now close your eyes and think about those words, as you try to synchronize yourself with who you want to be. Whatever word you’ve picked, imagine that growing inside you, helping you to be more of who you already are. Realigning yourself with you.
Now let’s say some affirmations. Affirmations are words you can say about yourself to remind yourself how wonderful you are. I’ll say each affirmation twice. So you can listen the first time, then say it together with me the second time. Here we go.
I am growing inside and outside.
I am becoming who I want to be.
I love myself for who I am.
It’s ok to make mistakes.
I am proud to do my best.
I feel peaceful inside.
I believe in my goals and dreams.
I empower myself and others.
If any of those affirmations stood out to you, feel free to write them down, or just store them safely in your mind to say when you need it. If you have an affirmation that is special to you, I would love to hear it! If you’d like to send a recording of your favorite affirmation to play on the show, have a grownup check our website or episode notes for more information.
Now I’d like to end this episode with a song. Feel free to sing, dance, or just think about bringing yourself into sync with who you already are.
When I’m up, I’m up
When I’m down, I’m down
When I smile, I smile
When I frown, I frown.
When I’m me, I’m me
And that’s who I’ll always be.
When I’m me, I’m me
And that’s who I like to be.
I can’t wait to spend some time together again soon. Until next time, I like you, I’m proud of you, and I’m glad we are friends. Have a happy and peaceful day.
Like You is a production of Perpetual Motion. It is made possible by our subscribers on Patreon and Apple Podcasts. Become a supporter by visiting Patreon.com/likeyoupodcast, or by tapping “subscribe” on our show page in Apple Podcasts. You can also tell your friends about the show or leave a 5 star review wherever you listen to podcasts. Like You is written and hosted by me, Noah Glenn. I also composed and performed the Like You theme music and other music that appeared in the episode. Our podcast cover art was illustrated by Mia Saine. Our episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn. Grownups can find more information about Like You by visiting our website at likeyoupodcast.com. Thanks for listening.
