8 LITTLE ACTS OF BIG SELF LOVE
So, I've been thinking. The rain kinda does that to you. And I've been thinking about me.
I remembered a time in school when a teacher said something to me, which did not make much sense. This actually happened quite often, as we've recently immigrated to New Zealand and my English was a little rugged (nicely put). This time however she said something to me with such a meaningful tone, that I was drawn to jot it down, knowing that one day I will make sense of it.
The words were "Don't be so hard on yourself".
Since then I have quite possibly heard the very same words at least a hundred times and I can no longer even be sure if the majority of times they came from others… or myself.
But the point is that, making great goals and having high standards is not the problem. The problem is not being satisfied with the outcome, not celebrating along the way and not giving yourself enough credit for everything else you’ve achieved and learned while going for gold.
I’m talking a little loooove. Self love.
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| Practicing #2 |
I've come a long way since then. I've also come to a realisation that self-love goes far beyond the ever-so-predictable bubble bath. But then again, none of the below tips are revolutionary either. And they are certainly not difficult. Here are:
8 LITTLE ACTS OF BIG SELF LOVE
1. Forgive your thoughts. It’s easy to kick yourself or get mad at random thoughts popping into your head during times of meditation, traffic jams or your boss’s annoying voice. Instead of getting irritated, just say “he he, I’m so hilarious, I forgive that thought”.
2. Take yourself on a date. Yes a ‘real’ date. If it means a lovely restaurant with a view, then go for it. You can’t expect others to love your company if you feel awkward in it yourself, so relax and cherish this time. Remember to catch the guy with the roses for sale "yes please I'd love to buy myself a flower, because I'm awesome like that"!
3. Carry cash, not cards. Money IS a big deal, whether you can say it out loud or not. Your bank account needs as much love and support from you, as your body and your relationships. However- constantly seeing nothing but credit cards every time you open your wallet screams… debt. So make a habit of taking out enough cash to last you however long, that way you can also keep track of your spending and fill yourself with prosperous thoughts when you touch the money money money- maaa-nay!
4. Change your greeting. Have you ever thought that the way you greet someone is setting tone to that person’s entire day AND your own? Next time instead of saying ‘Are you keeping busy?’ or ‘Keeping out of trouble?’ or ‘Hi, are you OK?’- ask a question that can only have a positive reply, like ‘how great is your day on a scale of 10 to 20?’ or ‘what’s the best thing about this morning?’
5. Don’t stinge out on organics. You’ve heard the news- inorganic produce contains little nutrients and loads of pesticides. It may seem, like you are getting all the extra chemicals as a freebie. Hooray- who ever said that nothing’s ever free? Perhaps it was the pesticide muncher with piles of medical bills later in life?
6. Drink green juice from your best wine glass. Don't wait for a special occasion to use it. Today is the special occasion.
7. Play a tourist in your own city. I’m not talking galleries and concert gigs. They are all good of course, but nothing compares to the thrills and appreciation of where you belong, like a double-decker bus around the city, guided walking tours, and cartwheels in a “I Heart [fill in your city here]” t-shirt.
8. Fall asleep counting blessings not sheep. Falling asleep in a state of gratitude is possibly the most therapeutic, healing, generous gesture towards your fabulous life.
Self-love is the greatest gift you can ever give yourself. It is the only gift.
Do you practice self-love? What do you do?
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| Practicing #7 |
