Self-love
Now if you are ever feeling lonely, and feel that the world is not your friend, if you think your life is sad and empty, take heart and you’ll soon be on the mend.
There’s one simple thing for you to try, and you might find you’ll change your mind. All you have to do is sing – yeah, and you will find some peace of mind – to just start all over again.
-A note I found, handwritten by my one of a kind mum.
Self-love.
Google’s definition; having a high regard for one’s own well-being and happiness.
Since my mum died, I buy myself flowers every week. I struggle to sleep more, so I listen to a meditation or relaxing music before bed. I have a ‘happy jar’ where I put daily happy notes – a positive, happy thing that happens each day – and on new year’s eve I will read them (while drinking some red wine most probably).
Since my mum died, something shifted in me. Time feels even more precious. My body and health feel even more important. Making memories and laughing, going out and doing, simply being – I want to live more.
I want to really live.
I appreciate things with new eyes.
Inner-calm is my go to, not the dizzy worries which used to consume me. This inner-calm isn’t something that is just innately there of course, but I am learning to tap into it and feel more connected with who I am, and who I am becoming.
I am learning how to find my inner-peace.
I have learnt it is not found on an aeroplane, in another person, in money, in outward success. I find my inner-peace helping others, human connection is so strong. And being still, having quiet time to just be.
Two words. My mum used to say to me. Two wonderful words.
Simply. Be.
Self-love is;
Meditating through the chaos of life
Hugging myself, when I need a hug and I’m on my own
Buying myself flowers
Lighting a candle
Making myself a tea
Protecting my energy
Knowing my worth
Flossing (yep, flossing again)
Clean clothes, clean food, clean space
Letting go of things which no longer serve me
Moisturising
Bed socks when it’s cold
Drinking water
Smiling at my reflection
Quiet confidence to be my authentic self
Making mistakes and being OK with that – going easy on myself
Going to the cinema a solo on valentines day (you’ll find me at the back with a sh*t ton of popcorn)
Writing myself letters/advice/words of love when I need it most. It starts with me.
Not wanting to kill myself, I used to want to die. Now I fiercely want to live – live freely, fully. To live a life where I look back and say, I did it all.
Like that song ‘I lived’, from ‘OneRepublic’
I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places
The things that I did
Yeah, with every broken bone
I swear I lived
20. Swimming after too many sprints, gotta’ protect those knees
21. Turning the shower to freezing cold at the end (good for ya skin apparently). Ice bath come at me.
22. Writing blogs, they are my form of self-expression
23. Singing (I only do this when I’m alone. Or drunk.)
24. Teaching yoga and meditation
25. Building up my life doing things I love and spending time with people I love.
26. Getting help; going to group counselling, calling a friend, signing up to that bereavement group
27. Being a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a friendly smile
28. Exercise, lifting weights and feeding those happy chemicals in my brain
29. Being brave to go things alone.
30. Being brave to meet new people.
31. Looking inside myself when I need strength
32. Choosing to be free
33. Choosing to be OK with the silence
34. Avocado on toast (potato and rosemary toast, if we’re being specific)
35. Choosing me.
Frank’s definition; Self-love is the hug we give ourselves every time we choose to be our own best friend.
36. Being grateful for my life. For the people in my life. For the moon and the stars and the night sky. For my sister and my brother – I would not be middle child me without you, I would not be as strong and abundant without you. Thank you. xxxxx