Love myself? When I was trying to heal all my aches and pains of chronic illness this was mentioned in every book I read. Love myself, feel worthy, have self-confidence. This was a tough one because I thought of myself as an okay person — I have 2 young children I love and take care of, a husband of ten years that I love deeply, friends that I am very open with– but did I LOVE myself? I have always been hard on myself and a perfectionist so this was a difficult place for me to go.
I was ill, I had aches and pains and was not living up to what I wanted to be. I felt very sad about my health and all the extra work it was costing my husband, mom and children. I was very focused on what I was NOT instead of what I was. I started with listing things I was proud of myself for. I am a good listener, I love to write, I LOVE to dance, I help and reach out to my friends, my kids tell me what a good mom I am and shower me with hugs, I have a LOVING relationship with my husband that just grows stronger every year, I went to a prestigious high school and consider myself smart and love to read, I am good with the computer and games, I am a good cook… wow maybe I’m not so bad after all!
If you don’t celebrate and appreciate the things you are good at you are telling your subconscious you are not worthy of healing or of love. By concentrating on the bad and what you don’t have you are inviting it to get even worse. It is not easy to change negative thoughts over night but it is a lot easier than it would seem to be. Once you start concentrating on the good in you — you will feel your self confidence rise. Once you feel your confidence rise you will feel like nothing can stand in your way.
Let go of the past. Forgive yourself for things that happened before. Haven’t you spent enough time worrying and focusing on them? It’s time to move forward and to appreciate who you are today and what you will make of yourself and your future.
Do more of what you are confident that you can do well. Do you make your friends laugh? Call one and make their day. Can you cook? Make a nice meal and savor it. Do you enjoy reading? Read an article or book on something you have always wanted to learn about. Can you dance or sing? Turn up the music loud and dance and/or sing! Do your kids love when you read to them? Take extra time reading the them and watch their smiles. Are you good at a certain game/crosswords/sudoku? Play it and celebrate that you do it so well. Nurture what you love about yourself. Take pride and joy in what you love about yourself. Your love and confidence will shine through and you will be attracting other people to love you as well.
Hi Jenny,
I enjoyed your article today. So much of who we are is really how we think about ourselves. How you approach your days with happiness or with negative emotions makes a huge difference in over all health.
Thank you for your wonderful articles> I am off now to read some of the others.
Nick
Thanks Nick! I really appreciate your kind words and hope you enjoy my other writings as well. It is so easy to get bogged down in the negatives and what we don’t have — the world is a much better place when we are able to concentrate on what we do have and appreciate who we are. Everyone is unique and has their own talents — if everyone realized that and nurtured their special abilities what a spectacular world this would be! Thanks so much for commenting! Jenny
Great Post! Thanks for inspiring me. I really enjoy the content of your blog.
Love & Gratitude,
Tina
Think Simple. Be Decisive.
~ Productivity, Motivation & Happiness
Thanks so much Tina. I am really enjoying reading your articles as well! Thanks so much for posting a comment! Jenny
What wonderful advice for creating positive energy, and you have plenty of that. Not only does it promote good health, it creates inspiration and creativity.
And the smile on your face that comes from the positive energy helps others feel better too.
With that type of self-created reality, Nature cannot help but to conspire to make life for you even more beautiful.
Thanks
Thank you so much Greg — you don’t know what a great compliment is to be called positive. It has taken me a lot to get here and am so happy to report it does make a HUGE difference in how I live and perceive my life. I am very grateful for your comments.
Jenny
Jenny, I discovered that the best gift that I can give to my family and friends is to love myself first. Then I have more of everything to give to them.
When we don’t love ourselves, we run the risk of becoming empty, then no one benefits. Have a glorious day and 2008.
Hi Patricia, Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I was running on “empty” for quite a while there between my illnesses AND not giving myself a break (I’m a recovering perfectionist)! 😉 You are totally right in that no one benefits from that! I am happy that you know to love yourself first and I know your family must feel the benefits! Thanks again. Gratefully, Jenny
Hi Jenny,
I was stumbling and found your website.Very helpful.
So far I have read 6 articles of yours.I am suffering from depression,just feeling a little lost.My husband calls it the late 20’s crises.:)
Anyways,I just want to thank you for the articles you have written and if you have anymore articles about loving yourself and feel worthy of love,please let me know. Thanks, Cris
Hi Cris,
Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I will email you separately with some posts and other resources. Remember that simply noticing you are feeling depressed and not yourself is something to reflect on. If you are ever very upset please share with someone close to you like your husband.
We often are our hardest critics and put lots of pressure on ourselves of “how life should be” instead of appreciating what is. Be grateful you have a husband that you can talk to about these things and for each morning. Be grateful you have the internet to gather resources. Be grateful you are an intelligent and emotional woman looking for ways to make yourself feel better.
I am so grateful you found my blog and will help you however I can.
Love,
Jenny
Jenny Mannions last blog post..What do You Believe?