Loving yourself to great health!
My sister and I recently packed up our childhood home and I came across this photo of myself.
When I look at this picture, I can’t help but notice the joy, excitement, and innocence of this little girl—ME.
It got me thinking that we’re often so hard on ourselves. We tell ourselves we’re not good enough, smart enough, wealthy enough, thin enough, successful enough, good looking enough. The list goes on and on.
If you were to look at your childhood picture, would you say all these things to that little person?
When I look at my childhood picture, I see all the potential that this little girl has, her spunk for life and her no quit attitude.
When I look at this picture, I feel love and compassion for this little girl—ME.
We all have a little child inside us looking for approval and love. Isn’t it about time we nurture that little child inside of us?
When getting ready to write this blog, I serendipitously found a note in my drawer with a visualization exercise from John Bradshaw, self-help author, who taught about the concept of the wounded inner child.
It went something like this:
“Imagine peering through the window of your childhood home. Look and find yourself in that house. What do you see?
When you take a good look at your life as a child, what do you see, and more importantly, what do you feel?
What’s going on with you and your relationships with everyone in that house?
What gift did you possess that others may have overlooked or missed?
What burdens were you made to carry?
What gave you hope?
What made you sad?”
As children, most of us have buried our emotions to protect ourselves from feeling hurt or ashamed. By acknowledging these feelings it gives us the opportunity to nurture ourselves the way we deserve to be nurtured and loved. It allows us to let go of those thoughts and feelings that no longer serve us. It helps us grow and evolve into the BEST possible version of ourselves and helps us to live a healthier, more vibrant life.
What are some more ways to practice self-love?
1.) Write a love letter to your younger self. What nurturing advice would you give him or her? What words of encouragement? Remember that this is for your eyes only so write freely without judgment. Hold on to it so that you can read it when you’re feeling like you need some encouragement.
2.) Create a self-care ritual. What is something you can do each day to pamper yourself? It could be as simple as having your favorite coffee or tea, using your favorite hand cream or turning off social media and sitting in quiet for 5 minutes.
3.) Write a list of what’s been going well in your life. When you’re feeling discouraged or sad it often helps to look at all the positive things that you have going on.
4.) Surround yourself with people that love and support you. Sometimes we need others for moral support or to hold us accountable to our dreams. Surround yourself with people who give you positive energy.
5.) Treat your body and mind with kindness. Be mindful of how you’re feeding your body and your thoughts. Eat healthy foods that sustain your energy. Think thoughts that move you in the direction you want to go. Remember, what you think about grows!
With “self” love and good health,
P.S. Please scroll down the page where it says, “Join the Conversation”, and let us know what nurturing advice you would give your younger self.
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