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2021: The Year of Self-Love
January is self-love month, which I think is a great way to start off a new year...especially this year! But that got me to thinking, why does it have to be just a month? Why can’t we practice self-love year round???
We can, and we ARE! While I may not have the authority to do this, I’m obviously going to do it anyway. 😉 I officially declare 2021 the year of self-love!! (It’s ok to get excited...I’m doing my happy dance too!)
I’m so glad you asked! In a nutshell, self-love is a state of appreciation for yourself. This appreciation develops + thrives when we choose behaviors that support our physical, spiritual and psychological growth. This means putting yourself first - scary concept, I know! But prioritizing your health and overall well-being is the key to self-love.
Giving yourself permission to prioritize your needs impacts things such as:
Ok, ok...I know I just said self-love is highly personalized - and it is! - but there are definitely some strategies you can try while you’re discovering what self-love looks like to you. Here are a few we suggest:
When making changes - big or small - going all in may sound like a great idea, buuuut it usually isn’t. Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to create this new loving way of life all at once. As I always say to my best friend… How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. 😘
In the spirit of baby steps, here are some things you can implement on daily basis:
This is not an exhaustive list, but we hope it can get you started. How do you show yourself love? Leave us a comment!! We want to hear from YOU.
We can, and we ARE! While I may not have the authority to do this, I’m obviously going to do it anyway. 😉 I officially declare 2021 the year of self-love!! (It’s ok to get excited...I’m doing my happy dance too!)
So what is self-love?
I’m so glad you asked! In a nutshell, self-love is a state of appreciation for yourself. This appreciation develops + thrives when we choose behaviors that support our physical, spiritual and psychological growth. This means putting yourself first - scary concept, I know! But prioritizing your health and overall well-being is the key to self-love.
Did you know…?
Giving yourself permission to prioritize your needs impacts things such as:
- Who you choose as a romantic partner
- The image you project
- How you cope with issues that arise
What does self-love look like?
Ok, ok...I know I just said self-love is highly personalized - and it is! - but there are definitely some strategies you can try while you’re discovering what self-love looks like to you. Here are a few we suggest:
- You know that appointment (doctor, dentist, counselor, etc) you’ve been putting off? GO TO IT! Make time to take care of your physical and mental health.
- Live your truth. Society, peers, heck even family can pressure us to hide or change parts of who we are. THAT STOPS NOW! Give yourself permission to accept who you are and start living as that person.
- Edit your tribe!! Surround yourself with supportive people who are genuinely rooting for your success, there when you need a shoulder to cry on, and bring out your awesomeness. I promise; it’s in there! Get rid of those who find joy in your pain or unhappiness. Show yourself you are worth having healthy relationships.
- Ok so this next one can be super hard, especially if you’re a people pleaser like myself. Having said that, with some practice, it can be done! Set BOUNDARIES. Even the word sends a shiver down my spine...boundaries. 😱 Learning how to say no to relationships, activities, even work is one of those easier said than done things, but it is so worth it!
- This one feels a bit obvious, but here goes - actively practice self-care! Give yourself permission to rest when you need it. Fuel your body with foods that are good for it - NOT go on a diet, just foods that your body enjoys and digests well. Engage in healthy relationships and activities. Even what you wear can be a form of self-care (check out how here).
How to get started
When making changes - big or small - going all in may sound like a great idea, buuuut it usually isn’t. Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to create this new loving way of life all at once. As I always say to my best friend… How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. 😘
In the spirit of baby steps, here are some things you can implement on daily basis:
-
Talk lovingly to yourself
- Monitor negative self-talk + kick it right out of your head!
- Try positive affirmations. This may feel silly to some at first, but over time it can improve how you talk to yourself!
-
Listen to your body
- What foods make you feel good?
- Do you need to rest?
- How can you create a more welcoming environment for your body (reducing light, sound, finding comfort, etc)?
-
Practice mindfulness
- Be present - embrace your surroundings, validate your feelings, be aware of your bodily sensations
- If meditation doesn’t make you anxious, give it a try! If it does, please know you are not alone.
This is not an exhaustive list, but we hope it can get you started. How do you show yourself love? Leave us a comment!! We want to hear from YOU.