“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
I’ve recently discovered the amazing journey of Self Love and how loving yourself can truly make such a difference in our health and daily lives. When I was sick, I was so mad at my body for not healing and for causing me so much pain but now that I am healthy, I’ve come to believe in and nurture self love in my life. It’s been amazing and has truly opened my eyes to so much-I feel that self love is a necessary thing in all of our lives. You have to love yourself before you love anyone else.
Our perception of ourselves is developed through societal beliefs, culture, and our experiences. Our level of self worth is often measured in relation to others. Contemporary society has taught us to value life in the means of a tangible experience. Our value is assessed by the things we own, the jobs we hold, our physical appearance.
Although we are trained to critique ourselves, we are less often taught to love ourselves.
Of course, self critique is a part of being human. But it doesn’t lend to happiness. We must learn to recognize our accomplishments, no matter how small. Measuring ourselves to others only serves to diminish self esteem and confidence.
To be the best you can be, you must learn to love yourself– all of it. Your perfections as well as your flaws.
You must declare your own self worth and stop worrying about judgement. You are the ultimate judge of yourself. No one else.
Your worth is determined by your own love. By the permanence of your goodness, virtue and soul.
Loving yourself is not a fleeting moment. It is eternity. It is a process.
The journey starts with you.
Love is the beginning of everyday. Wake up with a reminder that you are love. That you are worthy. Find bliss and freshness in these moments before getting out of bed in the morning.
Meditating and writing will enhance your experience. They are therapeutic and allow you the chance to be with yourself, uninterrupted in your thoughts. Take a few minutes everyday to journal and meditate.
Self praise. Try and be positive with yourself.
Get real with your emotions. Stop avoiding them and breathe your way through your problems, thoughts and struggles.
Find a new hobby and explore an unfamiliar territory. Find joy in your little accomplishments in this new learning experience.
Be kind to your body as well as your mind. Try a new exercise or start eating healthier. Make yourself feel good inside and out.
Surrender! Stop fighting yourself. Go with the flow and allow yourself to just simply be.
Don’t stop. If life gets hard, take small steps. Taking leaps does not earn success.
Own your potential. Love yourself enough to believe in the limitless opportunities available to you. Take action and create a beautiful life for yourself.
Slow down and relax. Good things take time. Do your best and you will be rewarded.
Take time to appreciate yourself and your accomplishments. Love yourself inside and out– your perfections and your flaws.
Listen to your gut feelings. They’re usually the right ones. Push your ego aside and listen to what’s right.
Don’t do things that make you unhappy. Avoid people that bring you down in life. Be kind to everyone, but be selective on who you allow into your life.
Be okay with the unknown. Don’t dwell on the past or the future. Instead focus on what’s happening now and be happy.
Learn to forget and forgive. Absolve yourself of your mistakes.
Have fun. Leave some room in your schedule for rest, relaxation and just plain fun. Try not to get caught up in the speed of things.
Don’t hide! Get out there and let others see and hear you!
Be positive. Negative thoughts will only bring you down.
Don’t neglect yourself. Be aware of the decisions you make in your life and make sure you’re doing what’s best for you.
Love yourself. Dedicate your life to self worth.
Seek help if you are dealing with self-rejection. Everyone should be happy. It’s okay to talk to someone– a counselor, doctor or support group.
We are all interconnected, and love is shared experience. Love is powerful, healing and contagious. So, love yourself, love others and love will spread.