Category Archives for SelfCare
How to Make Self Care a Priority
“If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.” ~Henry Ford
I love that Henry Ford quote. And boy do I need to be reminded of it, just like we all do, from time to time. Our thoughts are so powerful and are directly related to how we feel about ourselves, what we do, and how we interact with the world.
I don’t know about you, but for me, self-care has been a challenge for me most of my life. I’m used to putting myself on hold while I take care of things and people around me. Can you relate? There’s always a task to present itself or a crisis to divert attention away from what we imagine is (or should be) the priority. That is not to say that we shouldn’t tend to important matters in our lives. But if we continually neglect ourselves, we won’t have the ability to deal with the important things as effectively. Sound familiar?
It can be challenging, in a society where multi-tasking is expected, the media focuses on what’s wrong with the world, and our to-do lists keep growing, to take a step back or a moment away. Yet it is essential. Not only when you need a break but BEFORE you need a break. It’s vital to take time every day to care for yourself.
Here’s some ideas for you to get yourself and self care back to being a priority:
- Make a list of things you can do for yourself that make you feel cared for and good about yourself. Do at least one thing for yourself on the list each day for a week and notice how you feel.
- Journal about what self-care means to you. Share any insights with a friend and get a dialogue going about what it means to take care of yourself.
- Give yourself a hug and squeeze tight. You not only get some affection, it may help release some tension you’re holding in your neck and shoulders.
- Find a song that really inspires you and has a positive message about self-love. Listen to it…a lot. Sing with it. Make up your own words to it.
- Check out my FREE monthly teleseminar series on “How to Make Yourself a Priority in 2012.”
Can you think of any other quick tips for caring for yourself every day? Please share them by leaving a comment below.
Photo: To Do
Want to Love the Reflection in the Mirror?
February is the month of LOVE. While most of us automatically think “Valentine’s Day,” flowers, chocolates, and cuddling with that special someone, I’d like to propose a different kind of love for us to celebrate. It’s the kind of love that most of us don’t talk about, or maybe even think about, yet it’s one of the most important kind of loves we will ever have.
Self love. (I know…I used TWO four letter words in a row).
If you’re ready to take a bold and daring look at what there is to LOVE ABOUT YOU, please join me for February’s FREE Teleseminar… Loving the Reflection in the Mirror: The Secret Power of Self Love and Positive Self Talk..In this teleseminar, I’ll cover:
- The Connection Between What You Say to Yourself (either out loud or silently) and the Success (or Failure) in Every Area of Your Life
- How to Treat Yourself the Way You Deserve to be Treated
- 3 Steps You Can Take to Love the Reflection in the Mirror
Don’t delay. Sign up today. The live call is coming soon. But don’t worry, if you can’t attend live, you can still sign up and get access to the recording. Simply go to the REGISTRATION page and enter your name and email to get signed up.
Finding “The Greatest Love of All” – Thank You, Whitney!
When someone who has had a profound impact on our lives suddenly leaves us, it strikes a chord. I, as many of you, am deeply saddened by the news of Whitney Houston’s death.
Maybe it’s because I remember seeing her very first video as a MTV world premier back in the 80’s, knowing I was hearing the beginning of something (and someone) very special. Or maybe it’s the uplifting, positive music she sang that inspired me as a teenager and young adult (“Greatest Love of All,” “I’m Every Woman,” etc.). And maybe it’s because our children are about the same age. Of course it could be a combination of these things that give me pause to remember her great talent and be reminded that we all (including you and me) have a special gift to share with the world. Our job is simply to share it…before it’s too late.
But so often we get in our own way, don’t we? Today, I invite you to take a moment, reflect on your special gift, and think of one thing you can do to get it out into the world TODAY. It doesn’t have to be a huge step. For some great ideas on HOW to do just that, check out these articles:
Enjoy some of my favorite songs by Ms. Houston that so eloquently highlight the same positive messages I often tell my self (and my clients). Thank you, Ms. Houston. Your legacy of inspiration and hope lives on…
Treat Yourself Well
If you are one of the many people who is celebrating Valentine’s Day sans partner this year, don’t fret. Let me clue you in on a secret…
Being loved doesn’t require anyone else besides you.
Sound corny? Well just think about people you know who have partners and aren’t happy. And people in relationships “for the sake of…(the kids, finances, etc.).” Some may have you believing love is conditional, and that the only way to have love is to be loved by another. But if you don’t love yourself, how in the world can you expect someone else to love you?
Think about what love means to you. What things do people say and do when they love someone else? Are they critical or gentle with their comments? Do they find the best in others and situations or do they constantly berate those around them? What little things do they do to show love? Think about love in terms of your five senses: sight, touch, sound, taste, and smell. Whatever love means to you, make a point to figure it out. It’s so important to know how YOU experience love. Because once you have an idea, then you can make it happen for yourself, whether or not you are in a relationship.
This February 14th (and beyond), treat yourself well by:
- Making a list of all the things that make you feel loved. Remember to think in terms of your five senses. For example, a particular word or phrase (such as “I love you”) might conjure up feelings of love (sound); or your favorite decadent dessert (chocolate) might stir up something (smell, taste).
- Picking one thing on your list each day and make it happen. If it’s a word or phrase, then say that to yourself.
- At the end of each day, finishing this sentence (either out loud or in a journal), “one thing I love about me is _____.”
For even more ideas on how to love yourself, please join me for my next monthly FREE Telseminar, “Loving the Reflection in the Mirror: The Secret Power of Self Love and Positive Self Talk.” Simply go to the REGISTRATION page and enter your name and email to get signed up. Even if you can’t attend the live call, you will get access to the recording of the call, but only if you register.
Photo: Smarties: Heart Mapping © by gadl
Be Your Own Best Friend
Regardless of what we’ve been “programmed” to believe about ourselves (by others or the world), we all deserve to be:
- Happy
- Loved
- Accepted for who we are
PERIOD.
But somewhere along the way, we’re told (or shown) something different. Through our experiences, the words and actions of others, and messages in the media, we might learn to believe we don’t matter and we’re not worthy, which can lead to thinking and feeling bad about ourselves, which then leads to treating ourselves poorly. We often treat ourselves how we THINK we are, rather than how we TRULY are. And the vicious cycle begins – think bad about self leads to feel bad about self leads to treat self badly…and because we treat ourselves badly, it makes us think and feel worse about ourselves.
It’s time to stop this madness. And time to re-program yourself back to the truth…that you are worthy and lovable.
One trap many of us fall into is looking for others to make us happy, love us, and accept us, especially when we ourselves aren’t able to do this for ourselves. But when you expect others to do for you that which you cannot do for yourself, it can be a dangerous trap. Looking outside yourself for validation sends a message that your opinion, your beliefs, and your feelings don’t count. When in reality, they are the only ones that do.
So how do you get to the point of being happy, loved, and accepted? Start by taking a good, long (gentle) look in the mirror. One way to get back to loving yourself is to do the BEST FRIEND test. How would your best friend describe you? Would they have the same harsh things to say that run through your mind? Or would their words be peppered with compliments, strengths, and glowing qualities? Write down a paragraph (or two or three) describing yourself through the eyes of your best friend.
Once you write out your “best friend” description of yourself, read it. Then read it again. Then post it where you can see it. And every time you see it, read it. And take time to really FEEL it and let it in. Let a smile creep in, starting at your toes and working its way up to your face.
You really are your own best friend. Would you allow someone to talk bad about your best friend? If not, then why would you allow anyone (including yourself) to talk bad about you? Seems simple, but many of us don’t stop to think about the effects our own negative, self-deprecating thoughts and words have upon us. Wouldn’t it only make sense that saying more positive (and true) things about ourselves would have equally powerful effects on us?
To learn more about gentle and powerful ways to get back to loving yourself, please join me for my next monthly FREE Telseminar, “Loving the Reflection in the Mirror: The Secret Power of Self Love and Positive Self Talk.” Simply go to the REGISTRATION page and enter your name and email to get signed up. Even if you can’t attend the live call, you will get access to the recording of the call, but only if you register.
Photo: Bff © by Texasbubba
Where’s YOUR Pink Bat?
Ready to change your problems into solutions? Change your thoughts. Change your perception. This video illustrates it so well…Enjoy!
