I decided to link up to the fabulous Cyn's Valentine's meme about loving yourself. You can always check Cyn (and her awesome photography) out at The Chunky Goddess.
Loving myself. What does that mean to me? Honestly, I don't know. I spend so much of my time caring for and worrying about everyone else, that I forget to take that "me" time. I think this is a common problem for women in general, and mom's specifically. (Yes yes, it's a sexist statement but I think you'll live).
I have this weird mix of loving myself and hating myself, which again I think is pretty normal. So many of the things that I dislike about myself are the things I think of as failures. Do I love myself? I don't think I do. I mean, I know that I rock out loud, but I don't think I love me very much. I like me some days, does that count?
I would love to love myself. How do I do that? How do I change my self-perception? Is it affirmations in the mirror, like Kevin says? "I am smart, I am beautiful, and darnit, I love me". Well folks, that involves looking in the mirror and I try not to do that. Do I look at myself from the point of view of those that love me? So, I asked some of them. "What do you love about me"? Let me tell you, thems are some crazy people! :) Thank Goddess they are all in my life because my friends rock. I've heard it said that you can judge your character by the quality of the people who love you. In that case, I definitely am amazing, albeit a bit loose in the noodle.
Loving myself. It means understanding my flaws and knowing that I am only human. It means celebrating my good points and knowing that I can be pretty rad. It's about owning my shit and saying "I will do better". It's about loving those in my life and doing what I can to make their lives better. It's about surrounding myself with honest people who make me want to be a better person. It means being who I am and not changing into who I think others want me to be.
Maybe I do love me.
That is all.
Susan, you summed it up beautifully in your final paragraph. Loving ourselves is about loving everything that comprises who we are, no matter how "ugly" it may appear.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I did affirmations a long time ago. It also took a long time for me to love myself. It takes practice but it can work. I have to ask this.... why don't you love yourself? Are you comparing yourself to what society says is the "norm"? If so..... screw the "norm" and be unique! :) Beauty starts from within. If you are beautiful there and you know it, let it surface. Blessings my new friend!
ReplyDeleteEdanaRayvn
LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE this!
ReplyDeletewow woman ya nailed it! i don't think anyone loves themself ALL the time -- but accepting ourselves is certainly a perfect alternative.
you rock balls & then some!
i adore ya!
xxoo
A mix of loving and hating yourself might be the norm. Try to let the love for yourself, the belief in your strength and beauty as a woman outshine the negative. Don't hate yourself, maybe 'dislike' or note the areas that need improvement and growth. Self hate is destructive and is a strong word, it's also a hard lesson learned. We're all still learning and becoming better every single day! This is a great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your openness, here. I really appreciate it.
ReplyDelete+3 points for the phrase "loose in the noodle."
I love this post, and especially that last paragraph. It spoke to me, and I felt like you verbalized my thoughts here!
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you! For what you ask? Well I'll tell you, On the top right hand side of your blog you said what I was going to write about tomorrow! I hate when I look at my comments and see follow me or just their URL. It pisses me off! Granted I'm new to blogging and last weekend was my first 'hop' But damn, first I don't follow everyone, cause I'm busy and if their boring I'm not waisting my time!
ReplyDeleteSo here I read at least two of their post and write(nicely) and I get back url's rude. I don't just want follower's( I'm not selling anything)I want relateable people.
Check me out if you want, if not I still enjoyed your blog! http://bridgetsdaughter5.blogspot.com