Do you love you? That’s a loaded question. After all, if you’ve experienced a personal loss or the heartache of a break up, you’ve lost love on some level. You may be in the vicious cycle of blaming yourself and extreme sadness. Learning to fully love yourself again is the first step in breaking that cycle and healing your heart.
First, you need to take care of you and keep yourself as your first priority. That’s as individual as you are, but there are few ways I can recommend based on my experience. Are you eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep? Yes, this is pretty basic, but in the midst of pain and sorrow, we tend to forget about what our bodies need. I struggled at first. I couldn’t eat or sleep. Over time, I forced myself to eat – and sometimes you need to do that.
You can also add some self-care rituals. Sundays are my zen days – the day of the week I try to keep just for me. I go to church, get a run in, take my dogs for leisurely walks, and soak in a bubble bath. I also enjoy some reading or personal development work. My friends and family know that Sunday is my day and they’ve come to respect it.
I also make my health a big priority. I eat clean and workout every single day. By becoming healthier and stronger physically it’s helped me become stronger emotionally and spiritually. Not to mention – you get leaner and look better outside. Overtime, the changes outside become only representative of the transformation underway inside!
I share my examples only as inspiration and ideas for you. Self-love and self-care are not at all selfish. It’s vital. It’s how you heal, preserve your energy and learn to live fully again. Here are some other ways to love yourself first:
- Define and live your values proudly
- Meditate / pray / be in stillness and tune in to your inner guide
- Forgive yourself first
- Be thankful for all the good in your life
- Lean in to your emotions – what you’re feeling is ok.
- Heal on your own time
- You’re exactly where you are meant to be right now
- Be you!
Love yourself first. It’s not only how you’ll heal, it’s the only true way to love others.
