On Loving Yourself
What I think "loving yourself" means is
accepting yourself just as you are, this physical body,
no matter the situation.
I feel that it is not about trying to love yourself with your head,
but about treating your body with affection.
Loving yourself = Self-care
Self-love is not about trying to love the 'me' you think of in your head.
I think your mind might sometimes hate that discomfort.
When you catch a cold or run a fever,
I understand the feeling of wanting to complain about the discomfort, thinking 'Why now when I have plans?', but please realize that you have pushed your body too hard.
Even if there are parts of your body or inner self
that you cannot accept,
instead of trying to force a change,
just let it 'be'.
I feel that this also leads to 'forgiveness'.
I feel
that I do.
Do not deny any version of yourself; acknowledge and forgive.
Even if you cannot affirm yourself,
'not denying yourself by yourself'is the foundation of loving yourself, I think. 🫂
Even if you cannot like your appearance or your body,
or even if you cannot express your gratitude
to your body in words,
right here, right now,
please just
🤍hug your body🤍
If you keep denying yourself,
you will end up hating yourself.
If there are parts of your body you dislike,
and you keep denying them, it may manifest as physical discomfort.
⸻
Any version of you is simply existing.
When you turn your consciousness to 'being here now',
gratitude naturally wells up.
Wouldn't it be better to realize it while you still have it, rather than realizing it after you've lost it?
Turn your consciousness to your life and the sensations of your body,
and try saying 'thank you'.
Body scanning and
Yoga Nidra are also recommended. 🕊️
Please try searching for them on YouTube. 🔍
I feel that focusing your consciousness on your body's sensations and your body itself
is what loving yourself is.
The more you tend to be considerate of others in daily life,
the more enduring things becomes the norm.
But
if you use up too much 'energy' on someone or something
and put yourself last,
that is not loving your own body.
I feel that having a compassionate heart
and using up your own 'energy'
are similar, yet different.
That is why it appears as discomfort,
and your body
sometimes tells you,
'Re-examine your way of living and being'.
It is okay to be freer.
It is okay to be more like yourself.
'Being yourself = causing trouble for others'
I feel that is an indoctrination.
Morality is important, but
even if you live while constantly being careful
not to cause trouble for others,
you may end up causing trouble or burdening yourself and others as a result.
In that case,
don't you feel it is better to live more like yourself?
⸻
When you are concerned about evaluations from others or the eyes of those around you,
that might be a sign of a lack of self-love.
When you notice that in yourself,
first, please take care of your body and your heart.
For example, you were told you are fat,
so you hate that body of yours.
What do you think?
Fat, thin—it doesn't matter!
Your current body shape is perfect for the current you.
Be honest with your emotions,
and be honest with your sensations.
By acknowledging yourself,
you will be able to focus on 'your own life'
rather than the evaluations of others.
⸻
You don't have to be perfect.
It is okay to have days when you can't do things.
Incompleteness is human,
and it is your own unique beauty. It is an important individuality.
It is okay to have a version of yourself that cannot love yourself.
Wrap even that version of yourself in your arms.
Even if there is a version of you that cannot forgive someone,
you don't have to force yourself to forgive.
First,
you can just gently love the 'you that cannot forgive'.
⸻
By loving yourself
and treating yourself with care,
you will gain peace of mind,
and you will naturally become kind to others.
Before seeking to be loved or
acknowledged by others,
first,
love yourself.
If you want to make others happy,
first,
you yourself must be happy. 🌿
Your happiness
will ripple out
to those around you. ♡
⸻
Words that would make you happy
if someone said them to you,
please say them
to yourself.
Before seeking to be loved by others, first love yourself.
By treating yourself
gently and with love,
it naturally becomes kindness toward those around you.
And since people are mirrors,
you will also be treated kindly and with love by others.
⸻
Say words to yourself that would make you happy if someone else said them.
Go to the places you wanted to go.
Do the things you wanted to try.
Rest. Do not push yourself.
Give yourself permission to rest.
Give yourself permission to do things that excite you.
All of that is also love for yourself.
⸻
Filling yourself with love 🫙🩷
I feel that is the shortest route
to returning to your true self, the life your soul desires.
Even on days when someone says something terrible to you
and you get hurt and feel sad,
please be your own ally.
The words that hurt you when said by others,
you don't have to
direct them at yourself anymore.