Great Advice, you must actually love yourself before you can truly love others. Therefore, this article is about how to love yourself and has great advice.
While it’s easy to treat yourself to a spa day or binge on your favorite dessert, self-love requires time and effort. This includes reflecting on both the negative and positive in your life. You have to be open to looking at yourself with an honest and kind eye. By proactively engaging in self-love, you are building yourself up for happiness and a future that you deserve. Use these four steps below to aid you along your self-love journey.
Stage 1: Define Your Struggles & Let Yourself Heal
Before starting this step, you must allow yourself to feel vulnerable. Now identify the areas that you sometimes struggle with in life. Stay true and transparent with yourself to find out where your wounds are. Only then, will you be able to start to heal. Forgive yourself for any shortcomings and make actionable goals to improve your life. Part of doing this involves recognizing how you sabotage yourself.
Think about the last time you hurt yourself with your own self-critical words. Write down everything that happened. This technique is called mind mapping and it will help you see where your negative thoughts are coming from.
Stage 2: Stand Up to Your Negative Inner Voice
Practice mindfulness when negativity arises. When you challenge your negative inner voice, you look for the root of hurtful thoughts. Find out what you need when these scenarios arise. Is the negativity a cover for something that you want in your life? Let go of the thoughts that hinder your self-love.
You might be surprised at the words you use to bring yourself down. If a close friend talked to you in the same way you talk to yourself, you probably wouldn’t have that friend for long. Learn how to encourage yourself from the perspective of a close friend.
Stage 3: Make Your Self-Love Routine
Uncover positive ways to motivate yourself for your own improvement. Learn how to shift your mindset to focus on things you love and put yourself first. Keep track of your progress by journaling so that you can learn how to maintain or even accelerate your growth.
One thing to help you shift your mindset is to say positive affirmations about yourself aloud. It may feel strange to you at first but it is a useful and powerful tool to use when practicing self-love.
Stage 4: Lean on Loved Ones
While you keep track of your self-improvement progress, strengthen relationships with your loved ones who support you. Let people in on the goals you are trying to achieve. Not only will you build a support system but you may inspire others to embark on a self-love journey. Encouragement goes a long way and it goes both ways. Self-love is a journey, not a destination!
Come up with ways to communicate better with your loved ones. If you’re feeling down, say what’s on your mind. Let people know if you want to be alone. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of personal time to re-energize yourself.
In summary, taking small daily steps will set you on the right path of the overarching journey. So don’t feel rushed and take it at your own pace. Self-love isn’t about treating yourself materially, but it doesn’t hurt to reward yourself throughout the process.
Jessica SantosAuthor Bio
Jessica is a content marketer for ProFlowers with a passion for writing and storytelling.
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Whispers (in the Wind)
Whispers(in the Wind)
No place to hide the pain
That’s clawing me inside
As here I stand
Holding your hand..
Heated words and Pride
Roaring…like the wind
Threatening to divide
Whispers…crashing end to end.
Reminding me, what love is
What matters most, Us
Not who’s right, life and time
Our vows and love that binds.
Mis-spoken words, scorching Pride
Floating...whispers in the wind
I pray it’s not time…to decide
I whisper..God, don’t let us end.
Whispers, floating in the wind
Whispers, like prayers I send
Whispers, spoken in your ear
Whispers, God did hear
Whispers…..in the wind
Whispers…..my love....
March 24,2011
Dedicated to my husband Russ
Who I almost lost in July 2010.
But after 5 days in a coma he
Awoke. The doctors had already
Given up on him on the 4th day.
I had many prayer chains going
On his behalf--so the Dr. in charge
Called Russ the Miracle Man.
No place to hide the pain
That’s clawing me inside
As here I stand
Holding your hand..
Heated words and Pride
Roaring…like the wind
Threatening to divide
Whispers…crashing end to end.
Reminding me, what love is
What matters most, Us
Not who’s right, life and time
Our vows and love that binds.
Mis-spoken words, scorching Pride
Floating...whispers in the wind
I pray it’s not time…to decide
I whisper..God, don’t let us end.
Whispers, floating in the wind
Whispers, like prayers I send
Whispers, spoken in your ear
Whispers, God did hear
Whispers…..in the wind
Whispers…..my love....
March 24,2011
Dedicated to my husband Russ
Who I almost lost in July 2010.
But after 5 days in a coma he
Awoke. The doctors had already
Given up on him on the 4th day.
I had many prayer chains going
On his behalf--so the Dr. in charge
Called Russ the Miracle Man.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Poet's Corner:
LIFE'S LOVE
Life is our chance,
At love and romance,
Relax, enjoy, embrace,
Life's limitless grace.
Never look down,
Nor carry a frown,
By always looking up,
Will overflow your cup.
A broken heart,
Is a lesson that smarts,
Don't douse love's flame,
Nor discard what you've gained.
With happiness divine,
Let your love shine,
With arms open wide,
Welcome love's tide.
Walk through the strife,
Embrace love in your life,
Wrap yourself in rapture,
As you seek life's treasure.
Life is our chance,
At love and romance,
Relax, enjoy, embrace,
Life's limitless grace.
Never look down,
Nor carry a frown,
By always looking up,
Will overflow your cup.
A broken heart,
Is a lesson that smarts,
Don't douse love's flame,
Nor discard what you've gained.
With happiness divine,
Let your love shine,
With arms open wide,
Welcome love's tide.
Walk through the strife,
Embrace love in your life,
Wrap yourself in rapture,
As you seek life's treasure.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Marriage After Living Together:
Why Do People Marry After A Long Live-In Relationship?
In the case of me and my husband I can tell you our reasons. At first let me inform you that we lived together for several years. Both of us had been married previously, had children, and divorced each twice before we ever met one another. All of our children are grown, living away from home, with their own families. Therefore, we found it a considering factor that we live together, for a long time, before we ever considered committing to marriage again. This was agreeable to both of us from the very beginning as neither wanted to rush into marriage.
Living together allowed us time to experience one another. It also, gave us opportunities to grow and travel together. We explored one another's differences and what habits we disliked about the other. We learned how we could live with them in a way that was accepting without putting a lot of strain on our relationship. In this way we felt we weren't changing the person whom we loved. For the last year we lived together we told everyone we were "life partners". We had already decided to be together for the rest of our lives at that point.
When you love someone so dearly, you actually "choose to love" someone. It's then you realize you want to be there in many ways, especially in the final stages of life. As we are a middle-aged couple and there are some health issues on the table. This was one factor we considered. Even though, we were "life partners" that still is not recognizable legally in society unless "life partner" means "spouse". Therefore, in the event that one of us ended up in ICU, at the hospital, the other would not be able to visit. ICU will only allow family members. The other part of the health issue was insurance. My new husband has MS and his shot therapy wasn't working. There was another option available. However, it would cost $5,000 per treatment. The treatment is once per month for the rest of his life if it is effective. Being that his MS is getting a bit worse meant he might not work much longer and would loose his only health insurance. I have a better health insurance plan, than the one his company offers, and it would be a benefit also when we got married.
Commitment was another factor. Not because neither of us had any issues surrounding insecurity. We had already committed to one another as "life partners" and the Christmas before he bought me a "couples ring" which had our birthstones and our names were engraved on it. I wore this ring on my left ring finger to signify my commitment to him and to others. It was more in a way of letting our families and others realize the depth of our commitment. Many felt, I believe, that I would not stay with Russ as his MS progressed. Russ, had a wife leave him for this very reason. So I do understand their concerns. I have been in the Medical field off and on for about twenty-five years. I took care of my Mother and Grand-Mother when they were disabled also. I know what it takes and am up to do it for the ones I love. I felt committed to show my commitment in this way.
Above all, Love is the main reason everyone marries. It was no less the reason we did. Even if we did take our time getting to the alter. When most people fall in love, sometimes it is fleeting, later to learn it was really lust. Therefore, to wait a long length of time is justified. You know for sure who you are marrying, that you really are in love and you can stand living with that person also. Those are great benefits to help you be sure your marriage is a successful one.
In the case of me and my husband I can tell you our reasons. At first let me inform you that we lived together for several years. Both of us had been married previously, had children, and divorced each twice before we ever met one another. All of our children are grown, living away from home, with their own families. Therefore, we found it a considering factor that we live together, for a long time, before we ever considered committing to marriage again. This was agreeable to both of us from the very beginning as neither wanted to rush into marriage.
Living together allowed us time to experience one another. It also, gave us opportunities to grow and travel together. We explored one another's differences and what habits we disliked about the other. We learned how we could live with them in a way that was accepting without putting a lot of strain on our relationship. In this way we felt we weren't changing the person whom we loved. For the last year we lived together we told everyone we were "life partners". We had already decided to be together for the rest of our lives at that point.
When you love someone so dearly, you actually "choose to love" someone. It's then you realize you want to be there in many ways, especially in the final stages of life. As we are a middle-aged couple and there are some health issues on the table. This was one factor we considered. Even though, we were "life partners" that still is not recognizable legally in society unless "life partner" means "spouse". Therefore, in the event that one of us ended up in ICU, at the hospital, the other would not be able to visit. ICU will only allow family members. The other part of the health issue was insurance. My new husband has MS and his shot therapy wasn't working. There was another option available. However, it would cost $5,000 per treatment. The treatment is once per month for the rest of his life if it is effective. Being that his MS is getting a bit worse meant he might not work much longer and would loose his only health insurance. I have a better health insurance plan, than the one his company offers, and it would be a benefit also when we got married.
Commitment was another factor. Not because neither of us had any issues surrounding insecurity. We had already committed to one another as "life partners" and the Christmas before he bought me a "couples ring" which had our birthstones and our names were engraved on it. I wore this ring on my left ring finger to signify my commitment to him and to others. It was more in a way of letting our families and others realize the depth of our commitment. Many felt, I believe, that I would not stay with Russ as his MS progressed. Russ, had a wife leave him for this very reason. So I do understand their concerns. I have been in the Medical field off and on for about twenty-five years. I took care of my Mother and Grand-Mother when they were disabled also. I know what it takes and am up to do it for the ones I love. I felt committed to show my commitment in this way.
Above all, Love is the main reason everyone marries. It was no less the reason we did. Even if we did take our time getting to the alter. When most people fall in love, sometimes it is fleeting, later to learn it was really lust. Therefore, to wait a long length of time is justified. You know for sure who you are marrying, that you really are in love and you can stand living with that person also. Those are great benefits to help you be sure your marriage is a successful one.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Why I Write:
Life's Journey of Writing
I began writing at the age of nine years old. Fascinated by authors who caught my very attention with their words that transported me to other worlds and realms of fantasy and dreams. My ways to escape the hum-drums of life. I fantasize that someday my words that I write upon pages may also transport someone else to the same depths of desire to escape their hum-drums of existence. Realizing these escapes are only momentarily is enough to allow any writer to continue to want to write for the public for entertainment. However, I don't just write for the public I also write for myself, to leave my impression upon this earth that I was in existence here. It's our own way to express our own emotions that need a release too.
Writing to me is my way to explore my dreams and fantasies. It's my way to escape the humdrum and harsh reality that life sometimes throws our way. Life has it's ups and it's downs, it's reasons to smile and frown. We often have harsh realities to face like the sudden death of loved ones or heartbreak. Therefore, writing is the way I can pour out my feelings from deep within my soul. All the pain I suffer along with the heartbreak of love I write into a poem, letter, memoir, journal, article, a short story or song. In this way I can help either ease these pains or honor the person whom has passed on who I will miss with such a heavy heart. The pain of a broken heart can be eased in a similar way also by putting that pain into poetry or a song which sometimes can make it an exceptional piece. Maybe, the relationship didn't work out however something still can come out of it, after all, I find out by writing it out.
Life needs to be written down. We are all on our journey in life and we should write about each of our individual journey's including our ups and downs. Our pains, our joys and our experiences are richly deserving to be written about. Such as the joy of marriage, love, the birth of a child, the very moment you knew how you felt about that special person. Yes, life needs to be written about, it's the grandest of all stories that needs to be told. So I write all I can about nature, life as it happens, all the joys and the pains. My dreams and my fantasies. When my children were younger I enjoyed creating bedtime stories for them, these gave them fantasies in which to build their dreams upon. They were also good material for the foundation of many writings for children.
Writing is an escape from a bad or boring moment and puts one into another realm of existence which can be tantalizingly exciting if you write it to be. As a freelance writer I enjoy being able to express myself through writing. I write about my journey and all the exciting places I have been and what I have done. I shall continue through my journey of life, and I will continue to write about it all as I do. After all, even on our headstones there is always something, in the end there, that is always written. What is it you want to leave behind to be remembered by? What do you want written on your headstone? I want "here lie a writer of life."
For an additional way to write click here
I began writing at the age of nine years old. Fascinated by authors who caught my very attention with their words that transported me to other worlds and realms of fantasy and dreams. My ways to escape the hum-drums of life. I fantasize that someday my words that I write upon pages may also transport someone else to the same depths of desire to escape their hum-drums of existence. Realizing these escapes are only momentarily is enough to allow any writer to continue to want to write for the public for entertainment. However, I don't just write for the public I also write for myself, to leave my impression upon this earth that I was in existence here. It's our own way to express our own emotions that need a release too.
Writing to me is my way to explore my dreams and fantasies. It's my way to escape the humdrum and harsh reality that life sometimes throws our way. Life has it's ups and it's downs, it's reasons to smile and frown. We often have harsh realities to face like the sudden death of loved ones or heartbreak. Therefore, writing is the way I can pour out my feelings from deep within my soul. All the pain I suffer along with the heartbreak of love I write into a poem, letter, memoir, journal, article, a short story or song. In this way I can help either ease these pains or honor the person whom has passed on who I will miss with such a heavy heart. The pain of a broken heart can be eased in a similar way also by putting that pain into poetry or a song which sometimes can make it an exceptional piece. Maybe, the relationship didn't work out however something still can come out of it, after all, I find out by writing it out.
Life needs to be written down. We are all on our journey in life and we should write about each of our individual journey's including our ups and downs. Our pains, our joys and our experiences are richly deserving to be written about. Such as the joy of marriage, love, the birth of a child, the very moment you knew how you felt about that special person. Yes, life needs to be written about, it's the grandest of all stories that needs to be told. So I write all I can about nature, life as it happens, all the joys and the pains. My dreams and my fantasies. When my children were younger I enjoyed creating bedtime stories for them, these gave them fantasies in which to build their dreams upon. They were also good material for the foundation of many writings for children.
Writing is an escape from a bad or boring moment and puts one into another realm of existence which can be tantalizingly exciting if you write it to be. As a freelance writer I enjoy being able to express myself through writing. I write about my journey and all the exciting places I have been and what I have done. I shall continue through my journey of life, and I will continue to write about it all as I do. After all, even on our headstones there is always something, in the end there, that is always written. What is it you want to leave behind to be remembered by? What do you want written on your headstone? I want "here lie a writer of life."
For an additional way to write click here
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