How a Yoga Practice Can Benefit You
Decrease your stress and increase your physical and emotional health.
I struggled for years with self-love. I'd internalized so much negativity - insults and name-calling from childhood and well into my adulthood. Although I believed women deserved respect and love, I didn't always believe I deserved it too. You, like me, deserve love and respect. It begins with supporting and loving each other AND loving ourselves. I'd wonder - why is it easier to love others and harder to love myself? The answer to that - I was taught to love others and to sacrifice myself for others - family, children, partner. There is simply no time left for yourself when you continually sacrifice for someone else.
Only by taking care of yourself, are you able to do all those things you want and need to do. Love Yourself First is just as important as putting your oxygen mask on first in an airplane. As a society we've decided being busy, leaning in and doing more is the path to some sort of ultimate achievement. We trick ourselves into believing if we eliminate “me” time we will have more time for other things. Running ourselves ragged leaves us exhausted, with neither the time nor energy to take care of anybody or anything. I know from personal experience, eventually feelings of resentment start to come up.
Through self-care – physical, mental and emotional – your immune system and energy levels stay strong. YOU deserve the gift of self-love and self-acceptance!
"You are nature. You are already perfect, peaceful, and powerful. You don’t need to become anything. You simply need to remember yourself.” ~ Vironika Tugaleva
Self-love begins with self-care. It’s learning to say no to things, so you can say yes to you. I’ve started these habits over the last few years. When I make my self care a priority, I not only feel better, but I'm able to show up in my life as the best version of myself. Once you get the self-care routine down, think about taking your self love journey a step farther by being intentional with your thoughts, your time and your energy.
It may be difficult at first, but know that, yes, there are 20 positive things about you!
I did this exercise several years ago and it was incredibly difficult at first. I had no trouble listing 20 positive things about everyone in my life. Just as I was taught to sacrifice myself for others, I was also taught to always see the best in others. I realized, it was just as important to see the best in myself. I try to do this exercise every few months. It reminds me of my self worth and to make myself a priority.
If you want to take your Love Yourself First journey even further join us for our three night Love Yourself Retreat in February or one of our two night Self Love & Acceptance retreats held throughout the year.
The journey to loving yourself is like anything else - it starts with baby steps and can be a few steps forward and just as many steps back. In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, "Smile, Breathe and Go Slowly."
This blog is intended to provide helpful suggestions for self care and overall well-being. I am not a mental health professional. If you’re struggling I encourage you to seek the help of a professional. Find a Mental Health Professional | National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988