2 minute read
LOVE STARTS WITH YOU
BY MELANIE ROBITAILLE, SR. STAFF WRITER AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Whether in terms of your personal or professional life, people buy into you; the person you are. Not the labels you wear, or the car you drive, YOU. Unfortunately, society is predicated on us layering up under all these guises to the point where many lose sight of who they are and what they’re capable of, and start to question their worth. This happens to everyone from new moms to seasoned businesspeople, and the only way to persevere is by practicing love; learning to love and take care of yourself first before best serving anyone else. Self-love doesn’t come naturally to everyone and it’s shrouded in negative connotation. It’s a multi-faceted kaleidoscope of differences, reflective of our inherent individuality. It’s also not a finite destination, but a progressive journey through changing perspectives and growing awareness. I personally take a systematic approach that goes a little something like this…
Change Your Thinking - Instead of waiting to “find the time,” build self-love into the very schedule of your life. Treat each moment of it with respect and honor yourself by showing up and being present. These monthly calendars offer great daily tips to create the habit of prioritizing well-being in your everyday life.
Finding Your Joy – A joy jar or journal helps hone in on those moments, activities and experiences that really ignite your soul. It’s an inspirational source to re-visit as the new year rolls over, and categorizing entries highlights areas where work is required in ways that may not have been obvious.
Affirmative Thoughts – We get what we think about so use affirmation exercises to train your brain. Go from, “I can” to “I am,” with positively reinforced, habit-forming thoughts. An easy way to get started is with Prompter!™, a free, app-based system for people in all walks of life.
Manifest Destiny – As your perspective shifts, you’ll be drawn to and presented with opportunities of abundance to flex this new version of you; to work from a place of self-love and attain things of which you’ve only ever dreamed. Some ideas will be easier to grasp than others, so keep your eyes and heart open.
Self-Reflection – A huge part of any journey is remembering how far you’ve come, seeing the heights you still wish to reach, and asking yourself why. Take time to analyze at intervals which best suit your needs, but the point isn’t to live here. Practice detachment so you can let it go and keep moving forward.
