part 1 ~ The ABC'S for SELF LOVE

Yesterday I featured the '10 Ways To Love Yourself' and today are the 'ABC's for Self Love' both from Positively Present

Accept your body.

Sure, there are things you can change about your body, but, for the most part, you've got to work with what you've got. Remember: you are who you are. You should love yourself no matter what shape or size you are. You are awesome. You are beautiful. You are YOU. Don't ever forget that!

Be who you are.

You are not your body. The essence of you comes from within -- from your mind, your personality, your heart. I often find it hard to remember that I am not what I look like, but, when I remind myself of this, I realize there is so much more to me than appearance. 

Cultivate a healthy environment.

  

Put yourself in a healthier place. Keeping fresh fruits and veggies around, eating healthy, and exercising are great ways to love your body (and yourself!). And don't forget to take care of your mental health. Consider meditation to get your mind in a calmer, happier place. 

Dive into self love.

Okay, so you're having trouble loving yourself. You look in the mirror and think, Yuck! Try looking into self-help books or blogs that encourage positive thinking about life and, more specifically, about body image. Sometimes reading up on loving yourself can really help you put it into action.

  

Embrace your abilities.

  

Think about what you do well. Your body is only a part of who you are. You might be a great writer, a great athlete, an amazing parent. No matter what you are, there is more to you than your appearance. Embrace what you're good at and spend more time indulging in these activities.

  

Forget about comparisons.

  

Stop comparing yourself to others. No matter what you do, you probably will not ever look like Miranda Kerr or Brad Pitt. But that's okay! You are beautiful in your own way and you will always and forever be you. Accept yourself, love yourself, and stop looking to others to see what you should look like.

  

Get moving!

  

I don't know about you, but when I get in a not-loving-myself funk, I don't want to do anything. I just want to lay aroun and think about how pathetic it is that I'm not doing anything by laying around. Break the cycle. Get off the couch and use that awesome bod!

  

Have hope. 

 
Even if you're struggling with self-love, don't give up hope. It might be hard right now, but the more effort and time you put into it, the more you will learn to love yourself. Hope is crucial when it comes to learning to love yourself. Believe in your own ability to achieve self-love. 

Indulge in what you love. 

  

Every so often let yourself eat or do whatever you wouldn't normally. I'm sure you've read this a million times, but if you completely cut yourself off from something, you're more likely to go nuts the next time it comes along so let yourself indulge every once and awhile.

Join something fun.

  

Joining a group (or even starting a blog, which feels like joining something) can really help you with your image of yourself. Meet new people. Try new things. Being happy in general can make you happier with how you look so check out some groups you can join.

Keep thinking positively.

  

Keep thinking positively -- no matter what. So you gained 5 pounds. So you got an terrible haircut. So what. Keep thinking positively! No matter how bad you feel about yourself, there is always something good. Focus on the good, the positive, and push the negative from your mind.

Let go of your past.

  

You were a size two in high school. Sure, that's super, but you're not in high school anymore. Remind yourself that this is where you are now. You may have been something else in the past -- thinner, prettier, more muscular -- but here you are here now. In the present. Love who you are right now.

  

Motivate yourself.

  

You are the best motivational tool you have. Other people might encourage you, but only YOU can really motivate yourself. Do whatever you have to to remind yourself how great you are. Read books. Get off the couch. Talk to friends. Do whatever you have to to motivate your inner desire for self love.

  

Part 2 coming tomorrow.