Your image matters; not because of what others think, but because of how it makes you feel. When we don’t take care of ourselves it is reflected in our image.
When you hear people talk about self-care, what comes to mind? Often it is things like a bubble bath, a massage, a relaxing evening curled up with a new book, or a yoga class. Sometimes people think of self-care as being rejuvenated or having a makeover of some sort.
There is no doubt these activities are a wonderful way to unwind and pamper yourself. But there is more to self-care than just once in a while pampering or sneaking away for some “me time.”
Ponder for a minute all the ways in which you protect and care for the people you love. You probably offer compassion when they’re hurting, listen to their concerns and acknowledge their fears. You give them protection when they need it and encouragement when they’re struggling, which nurtures them and supports their growth. You likely offer empathy when they’re feeling overwhelmed and encouragement to take a step back. You speak kindly to them and let them know you care.
Let me ask you a question, do you do those things for yourself?
Do you have self-compassion, or do you blame yourself when things go wrong? Do you allow yourself to be influenced by toxic people in your life, or do you take a step back in order to protect yourself? Do you ignore your feelings of overwhelm and push through? Are you kind to yourself, or is your inner critic so loud that you say harmful words to yourself when you make a mistake? Do you struggle to give yourself the same kind of compassionate care and love that you freely give to others?
Self-care can be any number of things, but it all boils down to behaviors that help promote mental and physical well-being that allow you to flourish as you were intended to. To begin to care for yourself in a way that empowers and nurtures, first, pay close attention to your inner critic. Perhaps you are more critical of yourself than anyone else would be! Would you say the same things to someone you love? Feeling confident and comfortable starts with stopping the negative self-talk in your head! If you are not where you want to be, don’t criticize. Instead accept that you are a work in progress and plant seeds of confidence with gratefulness for your journey. Tell yourself you are growing to your best version of you every day and making better choices for yourself.
Start each day on purpose by acknowledging you are unique! I challenge you this month to start each day by giving yourself at least one compliment. We live in a world that can easily capture us with busy schedules, stress and overwhelm; self-care keeps us grounded. Stay grounded, let your beauty shine from the inside out, and live life confident!
