A Lil' Love - Too Much to Ask?

While we would all love to be have absolute unconditional self love and appreciation toward our body; this is a rather far reach for most of us – especially if you suffer from mental illness where worthlessness, hopelessness, and/or body image play a role. It can be tough, and each day holds both new challenges and opportunities that may have an effect on the level of love you are feeling toward yourself. It can be quite hard to think of where in the world to begin to change your opinion toward yourself, often feeling like a massive mountain and you are right at the bottom and cannot even top and end goal. So, I have broke down this mountain and made hills out of it instead; showing you how you can go move from tolerating, accepting, liking, and eventually loving your body – and it may be more obvious and easier than you first thought…

1. Acknowledge what your body automatically does for you

Think of all of the on-going functions your body does for you – without fail, and even non-stop. The constant beat of your heart, your breathing and your lungs, your brain and all the knowledge it possesses; these never stop working for you. Without your big toe, walking (let along jogging, skipping, or running) is a darn lot harder than what you might expect. These things go unnoticed and taken for granted – that needs to change.

2. Be aware and conscious when you are doing normal activities that concern your

body and overall health

When you are in the car on the way to work, have a look at the sky (being careful of course!), the stars, the sunrise or sunset – notice the beauty of the nature that is around us. When you are walking to work, to university or school, or going from A to B, listen to the noises and take in the smells of what is around you. When you hear music playing, really tune into it – the beat, the lyrics, the instruments. Start with the things in your day that you have to do, and make the most of them.

3. End the negative/hate talk, and open up the opportunity for change to be

possible

This includes the conscious stuff along with those unconscious and autonomous that we may not even realise. Do you think of the negatives/what ifs before the positives and opportunities? Do you constantly compare yourself to others and leaves you feeling terrible? Do you think that you will never accept yourself, let alone love yourself? We need to at least recognise and not immediately reject the possibility of personal change to occur. If we think it will never change, odds are that things won’t. If you have failed with this in the past, it may be due to the fact that you were never really sold on the idea that you are worthy or possible of change.

4. Think of others – their “vibe” and inclusion in things you do

In order to expel the negativity within, you need to minimise the negativity around. If you hear someone talking sh*t about themselves, or somebody else’s body – speak up and end that conversation, leave the room; do anything you can to make sure you are not in that environment and ensure that you will minimise the times that you experience such situations.

As for those who are not toxic to you and bring a more ‘feel good’ vibe – hold onto those guys and gals as long tight as possible. These people are a great way of incorporating “justified” treats into your life. Struggle with the thought of buying yourself a hot drink while you are out? Go with a friend who will buy one with you. Can’t bring yourself to take a walk or a class at the gym? Bring a pal along for the ride! We are more than happy to do things with you, and heck – we get a good buzz from doing it also.

5. Don’t call them treats – call them normal actions

This is the final and hardest level to reach. Some may appear to be here – spending money on clothing, getting regular manicures or pedicures, or getting facials every fortnight – but may not be doing such things out of love for themselves, but rather as treats or rewards for good things that have happened. Now while I have no problem with people doing such things, these are not actions of true self love and acceptance. If you were operating in true self love and acceptance, you would do all of the actions I mentioned because, well – why the hell not?! You don’t need a reason to buy those jeans, or get that beauty product, or buy a ticket to that band – you do it because you love yourself enough to know that there doesn’t need to be a reason.

So, there you have it – steps to building the feelings of self-love. Some of you may be at the very beginning, Step 1, while others may be at 3 or even 4 – and that is perfectly okay! We are all on our own journey and are at different stages – heck, I’m not even at Step 5 yet; but every day I am telling myself that I am worthy of climbing this ladder and having the chance of true self-love and acceptance.

Until next time,

Your friend,

Rawing Meg

xx