Today I want to talk about the importance of self love. ImageUp is all about projecting your best self.  If you’re not taking care of yourself, and loving yourself, then that is what you will project. Self love is the first step to creating your best, authentic you- the you that looks and feels fabulous!

Love makes the world go round; so let it start with YOU! It’s time you realized and appreciated just how special you are because there’s no one in this world like you. You deserve to be loved by others, but most importantly by YOU! Practicing self love is not selfish or narcissistic. Again,  it’s  the first step to creating the best version of yourself, starting with getting in touch with yourself, your well-being, and your happiness.

Let’s begin by putting the following 10 tips into your daily life:

1. Take time to calm your mind daily.  Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth, clear your mind, and just be. This can even be done in the car on the way to work. I also, recommend this practice when you’re beginning to feel anxious; it’s an instant calming technique.
2. Fill your mind with positive thoughts. Turn off the inner critic and replace it immediately with anything that makes you smile. Remind yourself of an accomplishment, something you handled well or how lovely you look today.
3. You only get one body; so take care of it with nutritious food and drink. Also, move that gorgeous body to stay young, vibrant, and healthy.
4. Embrace and love the things that make you different and special. That’s exactly what sets you apart and make you-YOU! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and cannot be defined. Even the pictures of models in the magazines are photoshopped and don’t look like that in real life. Give up the need for approval from others. “You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who hates peaches.” — Dita Von Teese
5. Savor love and encourage you from those around you who remind you just how amazing you truly are. Eliminate those people who make you feel anything less than amazing!
6. Follow your passion. Do that thing that gets you so excited but scares you at the same time. Go for it!
7. Get creative and express yourself in whatever brings you joy! Painting, writing, sculpting, building, music, whatever peaks your interest. Remember, there are no right ways to be creative.
8. Express gratitude daily. I love writing in my gratitude journal and reflect on my blessings. Everyone including you will experience down days; and it’s especially important on these days to find at least one thing you are grateful for as it helps to shift your mind and energy around what’s going on.
9. Forgive yourself. Everyone has done something that made you feel bad, embarrassed, ashamed? Let it go!  You can’t change the past but you can control your future. View it as a learning experience and believe in your ability to change.
10. Find your happy place where you feel totally at ease, calm, happy, positive, high on life!  Go to that place when you are going through hard times, or imagine yourself being there. Imagine how it feels, what it smells like, what it looks like. The next time you are feeling happy and on top of the world make a list of your best qualities and accomplishments and post it in a prominent place as a reminder of  the amazing YOU!