in defense of self love
here’s to treating yourself the way you’d like to be treated ❤️
it’s the month of love, so naturally i have to bring out my soap box and talk about self love. because if i’m being extremely honest, i don’t think i love myself enough.
my name means “comfort” (i know, so sweet :) and for much of my life, that’s what i’ve been to others: a source of comfort. now don’t get me wrong, i love this beautiful gift that God has blessed me with. but i don’t think i’ve been fully utilizing it the right way. specifically, i don’t think i’ve given myself the same level of comfort and kindness that i’ve given others over the years.
i don’t just struggle in the area of “being kind to my mind”. i also don’t take the best care of myself physically.
mentally, i constantly beat myself up, magnifying the things i didn’t do or haven’t done, rather than celebrating the (many) things i have done.
physically, i don’t get enough sleep. i know i (desperately) need the sleep. i know it would greatly benefit me. it’s definitely an “if i wanted to i would” type of situation, so i wonder why don’t i? same goes for consistently exercising and eating healthy. i know i should, but i don’t.
but I want to. and i guess that’s a start.
although i probably haven’t met you, i imagine you’re a great human being: kind, funny, and caring towards others. but do you show that same care and kindness to yourself? if not, you definitely should.
i’ve started getting more serious about properly loving myself. for me that looks like:
(lots of) prayer + spending time in God’s Word
training my mind to replace negative self-talk with kind and positive self-take (this is a work in progress)
smiling at myself when i walk past a mirror (seriously try it)
a weekly exfoliating scrub that smells like apricot and stains the shower orange (so i’m wondering if it’s actually safe to use lol)
investing time and energy into my hobbies (rather than scrolling the night away)
also investing time and energy into my skincare routine (‘cause I’m getting old and now is not the time to be slacking on my skincare)
you deserve the same kind of love you show to others. so here’s your sign to treat yourself the way you’d like to be treated.
shower yourself with compassion. talk to yourself kindly. smile at yourself when you walk past a mirror. take yourself on solo dates and get to learn more about yourself. and buy yourself some flowers.
talk to you soon,
itunu 🫶🏾