A theme for February is SELF-LOVE
It’s so much easier to speak to ourselves in a critical tone. To think about the things we haven’t done on our list, or about all the unread emails that tower over us, or hide under the bed like monsters as we drift off to sleep. Even more so when we are trapped in WFH purgatory for the foreseeable.
This month is often about spreading love around to nearest and dearest, but when do we really take the time to love ourselves with the intensity that we love others, or even to just stop being mean to ourselves?
Personally, when my inner critic gets too loud I like to fantasise that I am smothering her with a pillow. She is boring and has a serious problem with people pleasing. Try developing your own intricate and imaginative ways of shutting up your inner critic or if you are stuck try these simple steps to true self love:
1. Kiss your own hand and place on your forehead whilst saying positive affirmations. This is nice at bedtime
2. Stop All Criticism. Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticise yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticise yourself your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.
3. Don’t Scare Yourself. Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.
4. Have Fun. Remember the things that gave you joy as a child and try and incorporate them into your life. Allow yourself to express the joy in living and be silly every once in a while. My favourite thing to do at the moment is to dance in the supermarket when I get an empty aisle.
5. Say No. You don’t need an explanation. Its OK to let everyone down if your mental health needs it.