(Image by Fernando Volken Togni)
To me, self-love is self-care. Filling our mind with inspiration, our bodies with nutrition, our life with meaning. Having compassion for others, supporting our community, being kind to our planet.
Self-love is self-worth. We are loved and we are enough exactly as we are. Our imperfections are our uniquely individual perfections.
Self-love is finding stillness of the mind, body and soul. Meditating, breathing deeply, slowing down, practicing gratitude, detaching from outcomes, emptying the mind.
“Self-love is self-worth. We are loved and we are enough as we are. Our imperfections are our unique perfections.”
Self-love is setting healthy boundaries. Being in alignment with ourselves and in integrity with others. Knowing when to say yes, knowing when to say no.
Self-love is accepting it’s okay to not be okay when we feel demotivated, unfulfilled or purposeless. We are allowed to feel this way and we are not alone with this feeling.
Self-love is being in flow, however that looks for us. Reading, writing or drawing, gardening, cooking or eating, listening to or playing music, movement, sport and exercise, spending time outdoors in nature.
Self-love is co-creating community, building connection with others and finding something greater than ourselves.
Self-love is having sacred practices, like a regular morning routine. Self-love is having carefree practices, keeping things fun, simple and playful.
Self-love is letting others in and allowing them to love us through heartfelt sincerity, openness, transparency and vulnerability.
Self-love is exploration. Taking risks, testing boundaries, getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, challenging ourselves at the edge of our comfort zone.
Self-love is a boomerang. If we don’t serve ourselves, we can’t sustainably support others. As we serve others, our cup will fill up.
Self-love is going a bit easier on ourselves. We all make mistakes, we are all wrong, all of the time and we can all be hypocrites. This is part of the human experience and we can release that venomous self-punishment.
“Self-love is a boomerang. If we don’t serve ourselves, we can’t sustainably support others. As we serve others, our cup will fill up.”
Self-love is a mirror. We can hold it up and see the real us for all that we are. Embracing our uniqueness, facing our shortcomings, being deeply honest with the self. We are the master of our own domain.
Self-love is a friend. We can learn to love all that we are being and we are becoming.
I ask that you make a pledge to yourself as soon as you finish reading this. Explore at least one way to love yourself more.
Written by Nicholas Bloom, Mental Health First Aid instructor, corporate wellbeing facilitator and self-proclaimed sports tragic.
Learn more about Nic and his work at: linkedin.com/in/nicholasbloom1, linktr.ee/nicbloom or mhfa.com.au/instructor/457435
