Appreciate Yourself More with These 5 Simple Rituals
4. Let go of negative self-talk.
In order to truly love and accept yourself, you have to let go of negative thoughts about yourself and your body. We can be so mean to ourselves, right? When we use language like:
“I am so stupid/clumsy/naive…!”
“I always mess things up!”
“I am not good enough…”
“I look so fat/ugly/skinny…”
“I am fat like a cow/pig/elephant…”
We only make ourselves feel worse, more disappointed, frustrated and even end up hating or despising ourselves. It breaks my heart to hear women talk this way. Write down in your journal or on a piece of paper all the negative thoughts you keep on repeating in your head and make a commitment to yourself that you will not think or say them out loud anymore!
If you ever catch yourself in this old habit, become aware of these thoughts and replace them with positive ones. Instead of focusing on your weight or other “imperfections” on your body, find something beautiful on your body and give yourself a compliment. Write down 10 of your biggest achievements and keep that list with you to read, for those days when you catch yourself thinking or saying how incapable (or something else negative) you are.
You are amazing, only you need to allow yourself to feel and see it!
5. Forgive yourself.
Forgive yourself for all the mistakes, failures, bad choices, negative self-talk, weaknesses, bad habits, goals you did not achieve, or for allowing yourself to trust someone who hurt you in the past. Listen friend, all this is now part of your past and you do not need to keep on carrying that heavy load on your shoulders. It’s too heavy and it doesnt serve you anymore.
Whatever wrong you may feel you did in your past, you have hopefully learned from it and when you know better you can do better! Accept all your mistakes and your past with love and gratitude as it has been your LWA (“Life Wisdom Academy”) and it has shaped you and molded you to become the kind of person that you are today. Today is a new day and a bright new chance to start building the amazing life that you have always been dreaming of!
Let’s support each other – drop a “❤️” in the comments if you are ready to forgive yourself today. You are not alone in this journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is practicing self-love selfish?
Absolutely not, babe! Think of the airplane safety rule: you have to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. When you take care of your own emotional and physical needs, you have more energy, patience, and love to give to the people around you. Self-love is actually the foundation of being able to love others deeply.
How do I start loving myself if I have low self-esteem?
Start small, lovely. You don't have to change everything overnight. Begin with one simple ritual, like speaking kindly to yourself when you make a mistake or buying yourself a small treat. Consistency is key. Over time, these small acts of kindness toward yourself will build up your confidence and self-worth.
What if I feel guilty taking time for myself?
Guilt is a common feeling for many women, but it's a sign that you've been conditioned to put everyone else first. Remind yourself that rest is productive. You cannot serve from an empty vessel. Whenever guilt creeps in, affirm to yourself: "My rest is necessary for my strength."
Heidi Kokborg:
I really loved this post! Loving yourself is so important. I will keep all these tips in mind and actually start doing them! Thanks so much for this wonderful post!