[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]
Love makes the world go round and February is the time when we show our love to others through cards, flowers, candy, and special gifts. However, with all the sharing we forget the most important person to show our love to, and who would that be? Yourself of course! 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 remember to love yourself first! We must practice self-love, which is not selfish or narcissistic. So, what is self-love then? Self-love means that you completely accept yourself, treat yourself with kindness and respect, and nurture your growth and wellbeing.
Self-love encompasses how you treat yourself, as well as your thoughts and feelings about yourself. Close your eyes and visualize what you would do for yourself, how to talk to yourself, and how you feel about yourself that reflects love. Self-love is the foundation that allows us to be assertive, set boundaries and establish healthy relationships, practice self-care, pursue interests and goals, and feel proud of yourself. We feel it’s the first step to creating your best, authentic you that looks and feels fabulous!
Let’s begin to embrace self-love by putting the following 10 tips into practice in your daily life:
Honesty is the best policy… Being completely honest and transparent with yourself allows you to become your best self. Trying to hide or camouflage certain aspects of your life is normal, yet the more we try to conceal the more unworthy and unlovable we feel. Our health, relationships, and self-esteem suffer when we mask our authentic selves.
Learn to Exhale… 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.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy… Fill your mind with positive thoughts. Turn off the inner critic and replace it immediately with kind words, forgiving thoughts, affirmations of your worth or anything that makes you smile. Remind yourself of an accomplishment, something you handled well or how lovely you look today.
Forgive and Move On… Instead of dwelling on past mistakes, learn to forgive yourself. Everyone has done something that made them 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. Self-acceptance, the belief that you are good enough, gives you the power to transform your life and the freedom to create the life you desire.
What is Normal Anyway? Embrace and love the things that make you different and special. That’s exactly what sets you apart and makes 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
You don’t have time for the negative…. Savor love and accept encouragement from those around you who remind you just how amazing you truly are. Eliminate those people who make you feel anything less than amazing! Stop being a people pleaser by learning to say no and putting yourself first.
Don’t Put Off Until Tomorrow What You Can Do Today…. Follow your passion. Do that thing that gets you so excited but scares you at the same time. Go for it!
Let the Creative Juices Flow… Get creative and express yourself in whatever brings you joy! Painting, writing, sculpting, building, music, whatever piques your interest. Remember, there are no right ways to be creative.
There is Always Something to Be Thankful For… 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.
If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands. 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!
Just remember at the end of the day, loving yourself doesn’t mean you have to change everything about your life. When you can find that love you crave in yourself, you’re well on your way to overcoming your fear of not being enough. When you love yourself, you’ll have a much more attractive energy, exude confidence and radiate a magnetic glow that captivates others! Everything in your life starts to work and flow when you accept and love yourself – It’s almost like magic. This is all down to the fact that when we love ourselves, we know we deserve the best that life has to offer.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
