If you’re anything like me, the recent festive season was an exhausting round of shopping, cooking, and biting your tongue more times than you’d care to admit in the company of some of your relatives! The new year is the perfect time to indulge in a little love affair…with yourself, so that you can emerge into the spring as the fulfilled, happy woman you’ve always envied. Follow my guide, and your friends will be asking what your secret is!
Practice self-preservation
The old me found it hard to say ‘no’, no matter what demands were made. Women are particularly vulnerable to attempting the impossible feat of trying to please absolutely everyone. Loving yourself means that it’s ok to say ‘no’ to things that you aren’t able or don’t want to do. If you find this difficult, you can find out how to put yourself first here.
Photo credit via pixabay.
Protect your mental well-being
It’s easy to dismiss mounting stress levels and feelings of tension, but it doesn’t do you any favours. I discovered this much to my colleagues’ amazement one day when I lost it, big style. Taking care of yourself should include finding a way to destress, relax and restore some balance to your poor frazzled brain. Try everything to find the right fit for you, such as meditation, yoga, reading a great book, or even just soaking in a hot bath with a glass of your favourite drink!
Treat yourself
I don’t have too much difficulty with this aspect of loving myself, as I am more than happy to reward myself with little gifts to me on a fairly regular basis! If you’re not used to indulging yourself, start off with small things, like a box of your favorite chocolates. You can use your treats as ways to help motivate yourself to complete your goals. When I had worked especially hard one month, I bought myself a Gold name necklace. It reminds me that I am valuable and worthwhile every time I look at it, and you can do the same for yourself.
Eat like a queen
To feel at your best, you need to feed yourself the best food you can afford. When I was alone, I got into the habit of not bothering to prepare proper meals. There didn’t seem to be much point when it was just for me. It took me a while, but I figured out that loving yourself means that you deserve to eat delicious food, and for each meal to be an occasion, whether you have the company of others or not. Make cooking a pleasurable experience with some great recipes like these.
Having a love affair with yourself takes effort, practice and determination, but the payoffs are well worth it. I was amazed to discover that it wasn’t just me who benefited from my newfound attitude to myself, everyone around me did too. I’m a better wife, mother, colleague and friend because I take care of myself. You can do it too, and you’ll be really glad you did!