love yo’self

**Below is a guest post I wrote recently that I think is important enough to re-post.  Plus, by doing so, it’s allowing me to lay on the couch with Travis all night.  Well worth the repeat!  **

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When Amanda asked me to write a guest post for her “Love Yourself February” theme, I questioned her sanity.  And my own confidence.

You see, I sometimes find it hard to truly love myself.  Love my body.  To love my personality.  To love my selfish nature when it comes to Peanut Butter Cheerios. 

I think that most women probably feel this way.  (that’s a great cereal, guys!)

The question is: WHY is it so gosh darn hard to love yourself?!?!? For purposes of this post, I’m talking about loving our bodies.  What inhibits us from fully embracing the bodies that God gifted us with?  Why are we constantly on diets, striving for change, working towards the “perfect” body  that, let’s face it, probably isn’t all that perfect underneath?

Let’s just STOP.

Or at least vow to TRY to stop!  To work towards self love.  To give ourselves a little break.

You might NEVER look like that model you see on the magazine cover.  And I’m certainly not going to bash models (they ARE beautiful), but I’d venture to guess that many of them are crabby.  And unsatisfied.  Dieting will do that to you.

I’ve struggled with disordered eating habits for most of my adult life.  I’ve been fortunate enough to overcome a 3 year eating disorder.  I consider myself lucky.  But not completely fixed or healed.  Today, I still struggle with “are you good enough?” and “don’t eat that!” thoughts. 

But I’m working towards self love.

I’m battling that sense of discontentment and those feelings of insufficiency.  Most days, I win.  Some days, I don’t. 

But at least I’m fighting.  And most importantly, I’m showing my children that it’s unacceptable to view yourselves as anything but PERFECT. 

Leading by example, reinforcing good ideas and behaviors, and just being their cheerleader.  It’s a role we all need to take on.  You might not have children, but you certainly know someone who needs a “WAY TO GO!” or a “THAT WAS AWESOME”! 

Two SELF-LOVE assignments: 

1)  Promote self-love INWARDLY by thanking your body for the things it does for you!!  Are you a runner?  Do you play basketball?  Your body performs tasks for you.  Composed of muscles and bones and blood, it is what carries us through life.  Thank it!!  And stop comparing it to other bodies!!  That’s just mean.

After two kids, I’m proud of those abs!

2)  Promote self-love OUTWARDLY by telling someone else that you like xyz about them.  Pick a feature or a personality trait that you truly love about them.  Then verbally say it.  Then, watch as they smile ear-to-ear.

Oh wait…one more assignment…when someone DOES do that 2nd task and tells YOU that they like your strong legs, TAKE THE COMPLIMENT.  Don’t shrug it off or say, “thanks but ____”.  TAKE THE COMPLIMENT!  That’s not being arrogant.  It’s being thankful and having manners!  You’ll feel better and so will they!

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Like I said, I’m a work in progress – some days are better than others.  I spent so much time hating myself and my body.  For what?  Why?  It was SUCH a waste of time, mentally and emotionally!!  It was only after I adopted a healthy view of exercise and started viewing food as a friend, that I began to relish in self-love. 

I learned self-respect.  I learned to embrace!  The flaws, the dimples, the curves, the big muscles. 

It all looks good on me! 

QUESTION:  How do you practice self love?  What’s the last compliment you received/gave?

**Go enter my GREAT friend, Lindsay’s GIVEAWAY today! Her balls are pretty amazing!**

splendid…lindsay