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I am going to be very honest in this post. When I first thought about self-love I did indeed equate it with ego. As a mum and a teacher, I'm used to putting my needs behind others and I have no problem with this. So when I came across this quote, I was thankful that it gave me the inner peace to work on this week's in the Kindness Challenge (hosted by Niki - The Richness of a Simple Life - click on the button in the sidebar to be taken there).
So I took a good, long look at myself. Now, I have always struggled with my appearance. As someone not very tall, I think I look dumpy. I have a bust, I have hips and I have always wanted instead to have a sylph-like figure.
So for this week's Challenge I decided that I would stop comparing my body shape unfavourably to others and be kind to myself in this way. I would focus on how my cats "see" me - as in, they couldn't care less about my body shape - it is immaterial to them - they have no understanding of whether a person is fat or thin. My self-love was therefore to think "my body shape does not define the person I am".
This week's Challenge prompt was to realise "there's nothing you need to do to earn or deserve love from yourself or others" so I chose to think abut this every time I went in the kitchen and saw myself in our reflective kettle. The kitchen is where I have most of my "battles" - "food = fat" "this food is bad for me but I want it" etc etc so I tried to stop beating myself up over it and be kind to myself in this way.
This definitely spoke to me - I've always a bit of a rebel!
So what did I learn this week?
Well I think I learnt to accept myself physically a little more and be kinder towards my self-image. I'm supporting myself more rather than giving myself a good talking to! And actually this week it's been a whole heap easier to stay away from temptation. I've bought the more expensive fruit and veg that I'd buy for others but wouldn't normally buy for myself. I've left food on my plate if I didn't want it. I also said No a few times this week which is never easy for me but also gave me a little more space in my life so I didn't feel so exhausted running about everywhere and then grabbing something quick to eat which often isn't the best thing for me.
I'm not saying it's been easy this week but then it never is when you're learning new things but I'm definitely going to keep continuing in this vein.
My final quote comes from Dr. Wayne Dyer who said:
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone else has viewed their week and the shape self-love has taken for them. Please feel free to join in the Challenge yourself - you never know what you might learn?
Really good post Pempi - well done. It's terrible how we judge ourselves - I liked how you changed your thinking around to how you would treat your best friend. I must put that into practice this week. Looking forward to what the next week brings up :)
ReplyDeleteFil @ Fil’s Place
Thank you, Fil for your comments but especially because without you I wouldn't know anything about this Challenge :)
DeleteHi there! I relate to this so much. As someone who has issues with food as well, don't feel guilty over what you eat! You can always, always compensate later. Don't be shy to eat a do it, maybe have a light lunch later on! Being healthy is what matters, and when you feel good, you look good as well, it give Shou that glow of happiness! You have such a fun style, I'm subscribing :)
ReplyDeletethenashtray.wordpress.com
Cheers, Nash - it's lovely to meet others who are supportive and know where we are coming from - thank you for stopping by :)
DeleteSuch a beautiful and thought provoking post.
ReplyDeleteClick Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says
Lovely to have you drop by, Dee Dee - it's nice to keep in touch after the A-Z Challenge :)
DeleteThat was an interesting week for you, thank you for being so open. Yes, pets don't care if one is thin, large, small, red, blue or purple :-) All they care about is energy, good energy. Great example and tip to 'see through your pets eyes'. Going to use this sometime soon in a post, if that is ok?
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I would be delighted Mimosa if you were to expand on this thought - I think animals have a lot to teach us!
DeleteThank you so much for your honest and transparent post. The very reason I broke self-kindness down into 3 weeks was because so many participants struggled with it last year. From guilt to thinking it was wrong, everyone really felt challenged that week.
ReplyDeleteA quote that really spoke to me when I first started down my journey of self-love was "“Taking care of yourself doesn't mean me first, it means me too.” -LR Knost
I love how you pushed through and found a way to participate even though it challenged the way you thought about self-love. I'm so happy to see where this dedication took you. This is just the start of this journey! You found some great quotes to help encourage you to continue down this path!
I love that you also found the courage to honor your thoughts and desires. Self-love has a domino effect. While you're practicing it in one respect, it impacts so many others as well.
Wishing you all that you need to support you in your journey. <3
Thank you so very much for setting up this Challenge. I have already met so many other like-minded bloggers with loads of thoughtful insights that I know I am going to learn so much by taking part in this :)
Deletegreat post! I like this part about your cats the most! 😀
ReplyDeletehttps://love-it-now.live/2017/05/14/self-love/
Thank you for popping over to my blog, Monika. It is so nice to meet and talk with others who are discovering things on this Challenge :)
DeleteThank you for your very open post about your feelings. I too have struggled with my physical self image. I have had a weight problem since I was a child. I love how you compared seeing yourself as your cat sees you. You are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Wanda and I think we have a lot in common too! Looking forward to continuing this Challenge with so many wonderful people out there :)
DeleteWell thought through post that makes sense. I understand and empathize. You have to appreciate yourself. It can be tough to do. Sounds like you are on the right track
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne for your support - it means a lot :)
DeleteSound like you learned that loving yourself via being kind toward your eating habits maybe got you closer to what you want for yourself. Maybe the "good talking to" was actually moving you away from what you want not toward it. Love got you toward it. That's what I learned from your post. Your honesty was real.
ReplyDeleteSo much of what you say makes sense - I have begun to discover new things about myself and how I do things so I'm looking forward to finding out more as we go through the Challenge :)
DeleteThe quote says it all: our outlook is half the battle. Thanks for the insightful post.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to have you come over Linda Lee and glad you liked that quote :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful post Pempi - there's so much here to celebrate. Yay you! And what wonderful quotes you've found. I love when those affirmations and inspirations act like little cosmic winks. I especially appreciate the Dwyer wisdom - it helps me understand just how much control I have over my experiences.
ReplyDeleteThank you Deborah for your kind words. I totally agree about the cosmos comes knocking at times!
DeleteGreat insights. We do tend to be nicer to others than we are to ourselves. Gotta stop that! Aren't the fresh fruits and veggies the best?! One day at a time...
ReplyDeleteThere's much to be said for eating and enjoying our five a day - good for not just the body!
DeleteGreat insights. We do tend to be nicer to others than we are to ourselves. Gotta stop that! Aren't the fresh fruits and veggies the best?! One day at a time...
ReplyDeleteExcellent quote, Dr. Wayne Dyer was a wise man. I am glad you are treating yourself better. I need to work on will power, I don't exercise and I eat junk food all the time.
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