Our theme for February is Love! Depending on what’s going on in your life, “Love” can cause a variety of thoughts and feelings. Today we are focusing on self-love! I firmly believe that when I love myself, I show up differently.
- I'm able to love others without judgment.
- I set clearer and healthier boundaries.
- I have different body language.
- I make better choices.
- My relationships are better.
- I make more money.
- I'm closer to God.
- I am happier.
- I discipline my children with love.
- I deal with stressful circumstances better.
- I respond instead of reacting.
The list could go on and on!
If loving yourself is so important, how do we improve it?
3 Ways to Improve and Strengthen Self-Love:
There are many ways to express self-love and strengthen my love for myself. Here are a few of my favorites.
1. Self-Care
As a mom, wife, and woman, it’s easy to place our needs behind those around us. Taking time for myself often has to be scheduled or squeezed into small moments.
Several analogies are relevant to self-care. The first is the air mask in an airplane situation. We must have an air supply to help others get their face masks on. Another analogy is filling my own bucket so that I have something to give to others.
Self-care is not always bubble baths and spa days. For me, it’s taking time for my morning routine and exercising. Or curling up with a novel on occasion. What is one way you can increase your self-care during the month of February? Setting YOU as a priority matters!
2. Meditation
This past summer, I learned a meditation that fills my heart with so much love. I believe it originates from Brooke Snow.
To begin the meditation, place your hands on your heart, close your eyes, and repeat aloud, “I love and accept you, (fill in your name).” Repeat this for 5 minutes.
I like to emphasize different words and switch the order around.
- I love you, Heather. I accept you, Heather.
- Heather, I love and accept you.
- I LOVE you and accept you, Heather.
- I love YOU and accept YOU, Heather.
Because it’s easy to be critical of our bodies, another friend shared that she thinks of and touches each part of her body as she repeats the words. For example,
- (Eyes) I love and accept you, Heather.
- (Nose) I love and accept you, Heather.
- (Tummy) I love and accept you, Heather.
- (Thighs) I love and accept you, Heather.
After a few minutes, I imagine my Savior saying these words to me. Doing this at the start of each day is a beautiful way to improve self-love!
3. Dancing
I love dancing! I love turning on some upbeat music and dancing in my kitchen! I recently found the song “I Love Me” by Meghan Trainor and LunchMoney Lewis. It’s so fun and a great affirmation to sing and dance. Dancing raises our energy, reduces stress, and has many other health benefits.
Be Good to Yourself
It would be so lovely if we naturally felt great about ourselves all the time. Unfortunately, life has a way of causing us to question our worth, value, and decisions.
I like to think of self-love as a two-part process. The first part of the process is to raise our self-love by doing positive, proactive work, as mentioned above. The second part is reducing negative thoughts and feelings and forgive ourselves when we do mess up- which we all will because we are human.
We must take intentional measures to improve and strengthen our self-love regularly. I challenge you to do at least one self-love practice each day. You are worth it!
