The A, B & C of Self-Love
The A, B & C of Self-Love
We, like most of the female population, have days when we’re just not feeling it. You know those days when you’re uncomfortable in your own skin, doubt all your abilities and just aren’t sure if you should be an adult? For us, these days seem to coincide with times when the online world is at its most perfect. Perfect people on Instagram are creating perfect meals using just wheatgrass & chia seeds, whilst Facebook is awash with holiday-spam of bikini-clad bodies in all their glorious perfectness.
So what do you do? Well first you remind yourself that a good filter can erase even the most dramatic ‘I’ve-been-awake-for-three-nights-in-a-row’ bags and you practice a bit of self-love. This doesn’t mean you need to book yourself into some sort of self-esteem boot camp or a five-thousand-dollar-a-night retreat that promises to “reveal the powerful woman you really are”, self-love is powerful when it’s self taught. Self-love advocate, and ChicksLift Founder, Emma promises that it can be as simple as A.B.C.
A. Appreciation
Between work, studies, children, pets, friends, gym, and the every day nuances of life, we’re all so busy that it’s no surprise we sometimes forget to stop and smell the roses. “We’re so consumed by ticking the next item off our list, or dwelling on something we have no control over, that we don’t leave any room in our minds for reflection, and that can be quite deflating”, says Emma. Simply appreciating that your body enables you to get out of bed each morning is a good start for creating a grateful mindset. Once you start filling your mind with more positive thoughts, they’re also more likely to manifest into positive actions or, in the words of Roald Dahl, “they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”
B. Build your empire
Whether it’s your home, bedroom, or the people you surround yourself with, life’s about immersing yourself in situations that make you feel good. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on silk sheets and chandeliers (unless you want to!) but it does mean that you’re allowed to indulge in nice things. “Having nice things not only makes us feel good, but by creating an environment that you enjoy being in can increase creativity, inner-calm and happiness.
Likewise, friends can have a huge impact on our mood and self-esteem. “We often put up with toxic friendships much longer than we should because of the history we’ve shared, or we think it’s easier than cutting ties, but it’s actually not”, Emma informs. True friends are supportive, honest and forgiving and accepting anything less is denying yourself the respect you deserve.
C. Cut the guilt
If you’ve been beating yourself up about something then it’s time to draw a line in the sand. Guilt can be incredibly poisonous and, if not dealt with, lead to serious emotional disorders. “One of the ways we try to curb our guilt is by acknowledging that we all make mistakes but reassuring ourselves – and each other – that this don’t mean we are failures,” Emma explains. Mistakes don’t define you, it’s how you pick yourself up and get on with life that shows true character. And if some days “getting on with life” means booking some guilt-free me time, that’s okay too. It’s all practice for fine-tuning your self-love.
Do you practice self-love and have any tried and tested techniques? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know what gives you confidence to be the very best version of yourself.