Do you like who you see in the mirror?
There was a time when I had to force myself to look at mirrors. Back then, I didn’t like the person looking back at me. More so, loving the person I see in the mirror.
The times I had to use a mirror, I would internally cringe because of the hateful look I would see reflected back at me.
But that was then.
Now, I do not shy away from mirrors anymore.
In fact, I’m afraid that I have created a compulsion to make sure that I always have a mirror with me. (Not for narcissistic reason. But more for making sure that I can always check if there’s something stuck in-between my teeth after eating. Lol.)
I’m trying to remember when it all changed for me.
When did I start looking at a mirror and genuinely look at the person staring back at me with love and affection?
I honestly cannot pin back the when, or even the how it all changed.
I just know that I couldn’t have done it all on my own.
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Receiving Grace
Reflecting on this powerful shift from self-hatred to self-love, there are two essential factors in this process.
First, and foremost, this wouldn’t have been possible without the grace of my Creator and Highest Source, my God and Savior, my dearest Abba.
I learned to love myself overtime because, day in day out, my God has shown me that I am worthy to be loved.
Here’s the catch though…God’s love and grace is not enough. I needed to receive that love and grace for myself.
God is freely, continuously, and unconditionally giving His love and grace to us. No doubt about that.
The more important question is:
Are we allowing ourselves to truly receive these gifts?
Loving ourselves, as with any form of love, is not just a feeling. This requires daily commitment to actively express our love towards ourselves.
If we allow ourselves to truly receive the gifts of God’s love and grace, then it should show up with how we are treating ourselves every single day.
No, it will not be easy nor will it be instant. (Especially if you’re coming from a space of hating yourself.)
But with daily consistent action, the day will come when loving yourself becomes as natural as breathing.
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Love with Intention
This is going to be tough and might even feel cheesy and unnatural. But only at the beginning.
Feelings of love don’t magically happen. We need to do the work until we fall in-love with ourselves.
I repeat:
You need to do the work until you fall in-love with yourself.
How?
Here are five simple ways to start you with intentionally showing love towards yourself:
Make doing a mirror exercise part of your daily routine.
- Stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself out loud, “I love you, [your name here]. I am so proud of you for [think of one concrete win or accomplishment for the day]. You are amazingly beautiful. And I am so blessed and grateful for the gift of you.”
Start seeing your physical body as a sacred temple.
- Commit to start living a more healthier lifestyle. Be more mindful of what you are consuming in your body. Start being more physically active by doing activities that energize and revitalize you.
Shower yourself with words of love and affirmation.
- Write yourself love letters. Hold nothing back as you give yourself lots of affirmation, compliments, and encouragements. Be specific in immortalizing the things that make you special and unique and worthy of love.
Take yourself out on dates.
- Book a weekend trip and go on a solo adventure. Eat by yourself on a fancy restaurant or cozy coffee house. Watch a movie or a live musical. Do something that you would want your special someone to do with you, only be that special someone for yourself.
Give yourself permission to be your number one priority.
- Prioritize self-care and nourish your Spirit. Focus on getting to know yourself on a much deeper level. Spend time on just being present with yourself and just be. Even if this means sleeping in and enjoying being engulfed like a burrito.
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ACTION TIME
Now, let’s make this concrete for you!
What can you do to give yourself more love every single day?
Choose one action step that you are committing to start doing in the next seven days. And please feel free to share in the comments!
For extra accountability, go back here after 21 days and let me know how it’s going for you.
