Learn How to Love Yourself As You Are Right Now

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” ~ Lucille Ball

“Calgon, take me away!” Do you remember that commercial where a stressed-out woman was able to relax and restore her balance by soaking in a warm, sudsy bathtub?

What was outstanding about this ad was that it gave over-worked women permission to indulge in a simple act of self-care.

Isn’t that a sad commentary about the society we live in? That we need permission? We’re driven by the media to do more, be more, have more. Intimating that what we have and who we aren’t isn’t enough.

On the other hand, it’s refreshing to realize that a bit of self-love can begin to change the quality of our lives. In fact, as counter-intuitive as it may seem, in order to make lasting changes we need to start by accepting where and who we are first.

The way you treat yourself informs others as to how they should treat you. Equally how you treat others reflects on how you feel about yourself. When you make a practice of seeing and verbalizing the good you see in others, then oftentimes you can more easily see the good in yourself.

Do you feel the need of more self-love? Then pick one of the following suggestions and implement it today.

How to love yourself:

1. Look for and put into grateful words (verbally or in a journal) the good you see in yourself every day.
2. Make a daily practice of complimenting the good you see in others.
3. Celebrate your gifts. “I make the world more beautiful because of my…”
4. Point out the gifts you see in others. “You make my life richer because…”
5. Ask yourself, “Is this kind and is it true?” when self-talk brings you down.
6. Do an act of kindness every day.
7. Don’t think in absolutes – “You never…” “You always…”
8. Look for what you can do rather than focusing on what you can’t.
9. Be present in each moment and notice how it makes you feel.
10. Don’t be in a hurry, slow down and really connect with others.
11. Maintain your optimism and see the good in every situation.
12. Every day do your best and honor yourself for it.
13. Practice self-assessment not judgment.
14. View life as a journey and enjoy the trip.
15. Recognize that mistakes are opportunities to learn and correct your course.
16. Don’t impute bad motives to others; see their good intentions.
17. Reword self-criticism with positive affirmations.
18. See your progress. “Wow, a year ago I couldn’t have done that!”
19. Take responsibility for the consequences of your actions, make amends if necessary, and then move on.
20. Don’t hold grudges but forgive others freely, never letting a grievance fester.
21. Forgive yourself. No one is perfect, not even you.
22. Acknowledge and express your feelings without making accusations.
23. Set boundaries and honor them.
24. Stand by your convictions.
25. Don’t be sucked into other people’s drama.
26. Let go of trying to control every outcome.
27. Keep in mind the results you want and let it unfold.
28. Dignify others with their right to decide. It’s not on you.
29. Cultivate patience, acceptance and courage.
30. Share yourself with others and be willing to be vulnerable.
31. Avoid comparing yourself to anyone else.  
32. Nurture your soul and make time for things that make you happy.
33. Care for your mind, limit your exposure to bad news, and never stop learning.
34. Exercise, nourish and respect your body.
35. Stop self-destructive habits.
36. Get toxins out of your environment – chemicals or relationships.
37. Get plenty of sleep.
38. Schedule time to pamper yourself.
39. Do more of what fuels your joy in living.
40. Follow your dreams.
41. Don’t settle.
42. Strive for excellence and competence, not perfection.
43. Surround yourself with people who build you up and inspire you.
44. Invest in your future and hire a life coach to mentor you.
45. Keep your inner child alive and foster your sense of wonder and curiosity.
46. Have fun! 
47. Find your place of solitude and regularly listen to yourself. 
48. Be true to who you are. 
49. Don’t listen to who the world tries to tell you to be.
50. Keep your sense of humor.

Did you see some areas that could use improvement? The old adage is true, “Practice makes perfect.” So, think about ways to make self-love part of your daily routine. When you learn how to love yourself you will be cultivating wellness on every level and enhancing your efforts to make positive changes.

Please feel free to schedule an “Unlocking Your Potential” 30-minute complimentary consultation so we can explore your options. I’m happy to meet in-person, by phone or via Skype.