How well do you love yourself? Do you feel shame or compassion when you aren't behaving the way you think you should? The root cause of most of our struggles is self loathing. This is a strong word and hard to acknowledge. We berate ourselves when we eat "the wrong" foods, our belly pooches, we didn't get the raise or the invite, and on and on. We put other's needs first, compare ourselves and judge ourselves with unfair criteria. But it doesn't have to be this way.
You can learn to treat yourself with kindness. Imagine how differently you might navigate your day to day life if you were feeling compassion towards yourself. Which people would you choose to spend time with? Which foods would you be drawn to? What activities would you do?
Journal prompts to strengthen your self-love: Take your time responding to these prompts. I recommend writing them down, which helps solidify new ways of being in the wet cement of our mind. You can draw or create art as part of your explorations. You can also speak your answers into the voice recorder on your phone, then hit play and listen to yourself speak with compassion, as if you were listening to your best friend or loved one.
How do I determine my self-worth? Is that fair?
In what ways do I treat my loved ones and close friends better than I treat myself? How can I begin to treat myself with as much spaciousness and compassion as I do my friends?
In what ways do I treat strangers that I encounter throughout the day better than I treat myself? How can I treat myself with the same level of respect I do strangers?
What are five things that I think everyone should be able to do that I currently cannot? Is it true that I should be able to do these things?
What are things that you do not enjoy doing or make you feel constricted? Write them down and see if you can fill a whole page. Which of these people, activities or situations can you remove from your life, outsource, or stop doing? Are there ways to make it less stressful, perhaps even a bit fun? Be creative. Sometimes we think there is no hope, but often times there are creative solutions. Ask a trusted friend to sit down with you and review the list to help come up with ideas.
What are things that I enjoy doing and make me feel more expansive? Write them down and see if you can fill a whole page with all the things you love to do. What are 3 of these things you could start doing this week? Find a way to add them to your schedule.
What are things that you do not enjoy doing or make you feel constricted? Write them down and see if you can fill a whole page. Which of these people, activities or situations can you remove from your life, outsource, or stop doing? Be creative. Sometimes we think there is no hope, but often times there are creative solutions. Ask a trusted friend to sit down with you and review the list to help come up with solutions.
What do I admire most about my body? How has my body served me over the years?
What are 10 things in my life that make me feel lucky and grateful?
Who are the people (and pets) that I love in my life and love me? How can I spend more time with them and show my appreciation?
What makes me feel good? How can I bring more of this into my life?
Remember, you are perfect just as you are.
Much love, Tauna