How much do you love yourself?

Relationships are mirrors that help us see and learn to love all parts of ourselves.

We love the qualities other people admire and compliment us on, don’t we? Often, we end up describing ourselves in those terms. When some aspects of ourselves are rejected by society or people we love, we start judging and rejecting those parts, becoming our worst critics.

This starts very early on in our life when we have little to no understanding of the world and we can only determine who we are through how others interact with us. When we don’t get what we want, we naturally conclude there is something wrong with us, we are not good enough. This then becomes our basic programming, the story we tell ourselves.

This ‘theme song’ going round and round in our head is really a tiny version of us who didn’t feel fully loved and accepted. We spend our entire adult lives hoping that if we give enough love to others, they will give it back in return and we will FINALLY feel accepted and appreciated.

 

Here are 5 reminders of you can give yourself that love, so you don’t depend on others to feel amazing!

 

Wake up and go to bed reminding yourself you are loved

I’m sure you heard about the power of affirmations. They are the positive words we use to reprogram our minds and create our own version of reality. The most powerful affirmations are those you say out loud when you are in front of a mirror.

The mirror helps you see yourself from the outside and it also reflects your feelings back to you. It makes you immediately aware of where you are resisting and where you are open and flowing. It clearly shows you what thoughts you will need to change, if you want to have a joyous, fulfilling life.

Write a list of affirmations that resonate with you and stick them to your bathroom mirror. Spend a couple of minutes saying those affirmations out loud while you are getting ready for a new day in the morning or just before you go to sleep. Or any other time you need a little reminder you are an awesome human being.

Doing mirror work is one of the most loving gifts you can give yourself. It takes only a second to say, “Hi, kid,” or “Looking good,” or “Isn’t this fun?” It’s so important to give yourself little positive messages throughout the day.

The more you use mirrors for complimenting yourself, approving of yourself, and supporting yourself during difficult times, the deeper and more enjoyable your relationship with yourself will become.

 

You only have ONE competitor in this world. Yourself.

We are social animals fighting for survival and since we’re not constantly surrounded by lethal danger, we’ve started making our own enemies. We see each other as competition – so our constant need for approval from others is enhanced by also needing to be the best, strongest, or most successful.

The thing is it really doesn’t matter. Yes, competition motivates us to strive and get better but if it also always makes us feel less, it does nothing but damages our capacity for self-love.

To counteract this tendency to always compare yourself with others, include this affirmation in your list and repeat it as soon as you start thinking someone else is better than you or you’re not matching  expectations:

‘I am unique and divine.

I am here to learn and grow.

Every experience is a lesson I am willing to learn.

I am everything I ever need to be. “

 

Stop dimming your light to blend in

What is your superpower? What gifts are you here to give to the world?

I’m not talking about climbing walls or time-traveling but all those little ways you make the world a better place every day. By eating right, sleeping well, and taking care of yourself, you are able to give your energy to this planet and shift things towards a better future. Give yourself a pat on the back for that and keep exploring and embracing your life purpose.

All those dreams and ideas you have that you keep postponing, the business you dream of starting, that hidden passion which you now treat as a hobby can and will make a difference in the world.

When you step out of your comfort zone and succeed at things you’ve never tried before, it’s another proof to yourself that you do amount to something, that you are more than enough. That you make a difference.

So put that superhero cape on and save the world one little act of (self) love at the time.

 

Prioritize ‘ME’ time over anything else

Just like showing our love to others takes effort and consistency, self-love is also a ‘must have’ on our daily to-do list.

It is very easy to put all your time and energy in work, family, ‘doing stuff’ for others and forget that you must give to yourself first. A daily meditation, yoga, a workout, or even a gentle walk in the park or a weekly pampering session are not luxuries but necessities so make space in your diary and budget to be your own number 1!

 

Say ‘Thank you!’ (and mean it)

Gratitude is like a magic wand that erases pain and struggles.

There is nothing more powerful in making you feel love and acceptance for yourself than by focusing on those things you are grateful for in your life and showing appreciation.

At the end of each day, give thanks for at least 3 things you’re grateful for but also think of all the people you matter to who have you in their thoughts every day.

 

Make all these tips a daily part of your life and you will notice your self-love deficit reduce every day.