Loving You Is Easy Cuz’ You’re Beautiful

Melissa MooneyBe Well Blog

  With all things love in the air during the month of February…I thought I’d write to you about self-love: what it is, why we need it, how to cultivate it and how to keep that loving feeling alive. 
 
So what is self-love anyway? “A regard for one’s own well-being and happiness. Loving yourself is essential to your own personal growth, to the fulfillment of your dreams and to developing healthy, happy relationships with others.” *Psychology Today. There’s plenty of research out there pointing to the fact that without it you can’t truly experience or give love on its deepest level.
 
It’s super easy to put everyone’s needs first, especially if you are a parent or caregiver. What if I told you that a lot of this pouring into others and not into ourselves is more about not really caring enough about ourselves? 
 
I was recently listening to a mom talk about how careful and concerned she is with how and what she feeds her kids. Yet in the same breath she was telling me she is just too busy to do any meal prepping and needs to lean on fast food. I was stricken with curiosity and compassion. I was thinking, “I wish you could give yourself the same amount of love you give your kids. So put down the McDonald’s, Lady, and make some healthy choices for yourself.” She also went on to tell me how tired and overwhelmed she feels all the time. 
 
We are meant to love our life and be happy and full of joy. As we shift love inwards, we organically give it outwards. How cool is that ripple effect!?! 

 

Where to Begin?
  • Examine the inner critic: Whose voice is saying these awful things? Where and when did these seeds get planted? 
  • Forgive yourself for those not-so-choice decisions, move on and take the lesson with you. 
  • Flip the negative self-talk immediately and bring in words of wisdom and kindness. 
  • Review your self-limiting beliefs.
  • Stop feeling guilty about a self-care routine and start being proud about taking time for yourself.  
  •  Say no and set healthy boundaries.
  • Do unto yourself as you do unto others.
  • Drop comparisons to others.
  • Let go of the fears that hold you back from standing out and being your full authentic AMAZING self!
Lot’s of love 
Mel