There are a million ways that this can be done, but there is one that might be a little challenging for many of you. Look in the mirror and say to yourself out loud, “I love you.”
So much of our time is spent belittling and berating ourselves, remembering all of the things we messed up, did wrong, overlooked, lost out on, screwed up, and didn’t do perfectly. Then we look at our bodies and they are too tall, too short, too fat, too thin, too old, too achy, unable to do what they used to do, and again, just not perfect.
We can be cruel. When you are cruel to yourself, it is much easier to be cruel to others. It is also much easier to be unhappy, joyless, and depressed. So today, tell yourself that you love you. Then tell it to yourself like you mean it.
Action – Life isn’t easy. We never know what is around the next corner. Just when everything is going your way, something will happen to take the good away. Or, when everything is going wrong, suddenly something comes along and makes it all right.
And so it goes.
By acknowledging that the essence of you is worthy and deserving of love, you position yourself to be able to handle it all with grace and presence. There is no better gift you can give yourself than your own love and respect.
Steps – Look directly in your eyes in the mirror and say I love you. Hold your own gaze as if you were looking at the most important person in the world, because you are. This might be very uncomfortable at first and that is normal. We aren’t used to being nice to ourselves.
Say it a few times. Say it until you mean it. Continue to look into your eyes and see the soul inside the person. Know that whatever you have done or whoever you have become, you deserve love. You deserve it from yourself more than anyone else.
Why It Makes You Feel Better – No one will ever know your whole story, nor do they need to. The fact that you have been through many different experiences and are wherever you are now is okay. We grow much more from the challenges we face than we do when everything is going our way.
Acknowledging yourself as deserving of love gives you confidence, increases self-esteem, can motivate you, make you feel healthier, and might even make you smile. There is something so basic about expressing love to ourselves, yet when you try this you may be surprised at how awkward or uncomfortable it feels. It’s okay. Do it anyways.
Example – Every time I do something that doesn’t work out, I remember to say, “It’s okay, I still love you.” It’s almost like talking to a child, and in fact that is what it is. We all have an inner child that needs encouragement instead of bullying.
Get from yourself what doesn’t always come from the outside world. As long as you love and respect you, the day will always be a little brighter.