Monday Inspiration: Love Yourself

Do you ever hate yourself?

Do you get aggravated with yourself when you make a mistake and tell yourself you’re stupid or a failure?

Do you feel ugly, not good enough, unloveable, or unworthy?

It’s time to change that.

Today, I want to inspire and challenge you to love yourself.

No matter how old you are, you carry within an inner child that needs love and care. You need to increase your self-esteem so you can better care for that inner child. You do that with self-love.

I’ve described a few key ideas that will help you love yourself more. As you read this list, allow your mind and spirit to feel motivated. Then,when you start the journey to self-love you will do so with a positive energetic attitude.

Tell yourself “I love you”

March into the bathroom and look in the mirror. (Do it now!)

You see that person staring back at you?—tell him or her right now the following:

“I love you.”

Start listing aloud to all the things you love about the person standing in the mirror. Say why you value and cherish them. As you do, your self-worth and self-confidence will begin to rise.

Caress Yourself

I know it sounds a little bit weird, but fear not! I don’t mean to touch yourself in a sexual way.

Learn how to embrace your body in a loving way—to caress and comfort it.

Give yourself a bear hug, a pat on the back, a gentle neck massage, or touch your cheek lovingly—anything type of touch—as long as you’re giving your body the physical love it craves.

Take Care of You

Here’s something we could all do a better job of: taking care of ourselves.

Remember what Kit and Vivian say to each other in the movie Pretty Woman? Take care of you.

Too many of us search our schedules for downtime—that special time to do the things we truly love—and don’t find it.

As a result, we don’t eat well, we don’t sleep well, and we don’t enjoy life as much as we should.

Put time on the calendar for you. Take care of yourself by making time for you passions and hobbies, friends and family, and the occasional visit to the doctor, masseuse, therapist, coach, or chiropractor.

Take a Deep Breath

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by those feelings of “I’m not good enough,” but, when you hit those walls, take a deep breath.

Take another…then tell yourself, “I’ve got this. I am totally good enough.”

Then evaluate what you need to do to get back on track. Do you need to take a break or meditate? Do you need to ask someone for help? Do you need a nap or a snack?

Whatever it is, take care of yourself. Then try again.

Have a Date with Yourself

To love yourself, you must be willing to spend time with yourself.

Make a date with you! Go do the things you love to do with yourself.

Have a me, myself and I day!

For example, go to your favorite restaurant. Go camping on the beach. Take a hike on your favorite path. And do these things alone.

Take or make time for you. Schedule it. Mark your date with yourself on your calendar and commit to that time with you.

You are worth the time. You are worth the love and affection and effort.

Watch Your Words

So pay attention to how you speak to yourself. Watch your thoughts and words as they relate to how you feel about yourself.

When you find yourself using those old negative descriptions of yourself, say, “That’s not true.”

Then head back to the bathroom mirror for some positive self talk.

Remind yourself that you are perfect and you are loved.

As you love yourself more, see what difference it makes in how you feel about yourself. Tell me about your experience in a comment below.