5 steps to self love

What are your thoughts on Self Love? I know, the term gets thrown around a lot. Do you roll your eyes at the thought of another really pretty girl telling you via her bikini instagram post that self love is attainable? Do you think to yourself ‘ if I had that body I wouldn’t have a care in the world’? I have. Sometimes I still do, but realise that I don’t have to think like this and change my thought pattern by not comparing myself. Having what we perceive to be the perfect body is evidence of self love and a happy life right? No ladies it isn’t.

Who cares if I love myself or not?

Self love influences so many things in our lives. It influences how we treat our bodies, who we get into relationships with romantically, the type of job we take on, the people that we allow into our lives and what we put into our bodies.

Those with no or low self love have trouble valuing themselves enough to step out of toxic relationships of any kind and in many instances abuse their bodies by binge drinking, eating foods that don’t nourish them or punishing themselves with gruelling workouts too many times a week. Some want to protect themselves by eating to gain weight in a ‘if you can’t see me or get close to me, you can’t hurt me’ kind of way.

I believe self love is acceptance of you, knowing where you are and starting there, it takes time to change those ingrained thought processes, but they can be changed.

The self love test: Would you treat or speak to your girlfriends/family the way that you treat or speak to yourself? If you answered no, then it’s time to show yourself the same respect you would your family and loved ones. Here are a few steps that will help set you on your way.

5 Steps:

1. Write 5 great things you like about yourself.

You’re a great friend, have impeccable taste in clothes, work with the disadvantaged, are a great cook, have had babies and either have or are raising great kids. You have climbed the corporate ladder and achieved great change in your company. You are a great artist, singer, listener. Maybe you love to read? Whatever it is write down 5. Put this little love note somewhere you can see it often and remind yourself with those pesky little negative thoughts show up.

2. Write 5 positive things about your body.

Regardless of how much weight you need to lose for your health, we all start somewhere and you are beautiful already, we are just improving on that. Maybe it’s your eyes that capture attention, or maybe you are tall and have long legs, or you have great hair or a really nice booty? Whatever these points are, write them down and put this list up where you can see it. By the way, there is always something positive to say about our bodies. You may start with something small but your list will grow.

3. Surround yourself with positive people.

Is it time to close out the negative talk from some people in your life who may be sapping your energy or putting you down? Does this create negative perceptions of yourself or causes too much unnecessary drama? Maybe increasing the number of positive people in your life by joining a sports club, book club, walking group, gym, art class or something that you will enjoy that is all for you and where you have the opportunity to make good friends.

4. Be kind to yourself.

Have a routine of good self care by way of good nutrition, allowing time for exercise each day, good sleep and restfulness. Are you working in a job that you love? If you’re not, is it time to change into a position which you get enjoyment and satisfaction from?

5. Its ok to say no.

So many clients that I talk with have trouble saying no to the loved ones around them. Some are juggling so many balls at any one time and feel that they say yes because they have to, rather than saying yes because they want to. Practise saying no to things you don’t really want to do and see how you feel?

So, as you can see self love isn’t all fairy floss and butterflies, it can have a huge impact on your everyday. Self love ties into lifestyle and nutrition and is one of the key points we cover in our Body Love 1 on 1 coaching package. It’s all good to eat well for a week, but when the catalyst for your bad eating isn’t dealt with, its really hard to stay on track. At Sol Da Terra Nutrition, we don’t do diets, we teach you how to eat guilt free and enjoy the process.