Self-Love 101

Recently, while waiting for my name to be called to get my blood drawn at my local health center, I came across an article in Essence magazine (the May 2013 edition) entitled Love Yourself Tool Kit written by Gina Roberts-Grey.

The article talks about how women are usually nurturing, caring, and loving by nature but often neglect themselves. You know I talk about this allll the time. We are often so concerned with DOING FOR OTHERS that we forget to DO FOR US! I love being selfish and I encourage you all to do the same. Spend time with yourself, cook for yourself, do something daily that makes you happy.


These are the tools in the love yourself tool kit:

Let Go 
Forgiveness is empowering. Tell yourself aloud, "I forgive myself and I'm putting my best foot forward."

Commemorate a Win
Reflect on a goal you've achieved and relive the experience! Find your strengths by jotting down how you achieved that goal and with which skills. It could be anything from paying off a credit card to clearing a box in your storage.

Pick a Favorite Photo
Collect a few photos of yourself that you like and make a note of at least 3 things you like about each photo.

Build Your Bio
Write a 10-sentence autobiography that describes what's most authentic about you. Keep that bio handy to remind yourself who you are at your core.

Create a Feel-Good File
Save all of the uplifting texts and emails you receive from loved ones and write yourself a few of your own. When you need a "Go, me!" boost, throw yourself a compliment from the lot!

Make a Plan
Write out the blueprint for how you want your life story to read. Type it up or write it by hand. Start with where you envision yourself towards the end of a long, happy life and work backwards through all the positive experiences you will have enjoyed by embracing self-love.

Frame the Option of Acceptance
Write or print the phrase "You Deserve Happiness" on a piece of paper and frame it. Get creative with this; make it your own. Place your finished work somewhere prominent and BELIEVE that you're entitled to be happy!

Tap into Positivity
Adopt a zero-tolerance policy for negative self-talk. Be your own cheerleader instead of your own worst critic. When you're not feeling positive, acknowledge those feelings and choose to treat yourself with love and acceptance anyways.

Rethink Your Reflection
When you see yourself in the mirror or catch a glimpse of your shadow, resist the urge to critique the size and shape of your body. Focus instead on what you like about yourself.

Love It or List It
Create a list with two columns and label the left side "I feel" and the other side, "I prefer to feel." List your current emotions on the left and the emotion you'd rather feel on the right. Perhaps you feel lonely because you're not in a relationship but you could prefer to feel grateful for the love and support of your friends. Let this list serve as a reminder that you can choose to have a different attitude about yourself.