Let's say that Oxygen is equal to the Love that we carry inside.
How can you show love to others if your own love is running out? If you don't love yourself enough? How can you love others and make them feel important and valuable if you don't know how important you are or how many things you are valuable for? How can you love others if you don't know how much you are worth?
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Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially during challenging times. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion, don't call yourself nasty names or insult yourself, even when you're alone.
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Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to things that drain your energy or don't align with your values. Boundaries are essential for protecting your mental and emotional well-being.
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Prioritize Self-Care: Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. This can include getting enough sleep, eating nourishing foods, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.
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Celebrate Your Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Take pride in your accomplishments and the progress you've made.
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Practice Gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by focusing on the things you're thankful for in your life. Keep a gratitude journal or simply take a few moments each day to reflect on what you appreciate.
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Nurture Your Passions: Make time for activities that ignite your passions and bring you fulfillment. Whether it's painting, writing, hiking, or dancing, indulge in activities that make your soul come alive.
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Surround Yourself with Positivity: Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you. Distance yourself from toxic relationships or environments that drain your energy.
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Embrace Self-Reflection: Take time to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Self-reflection can help you gain insight into yourself and your needs.
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Practice Mindfulness: Be present in the moment and cultivate awareness of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help you connect with yourself on a deeper level.
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Seek Support: Don't be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. Whether it's talking to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist, seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- Be Generous: After setting your priorities, be mindful of the needs and well-being of others. Serve others with your best attitude and giving them the best you can.
These are little things that you can start with; think about it and choose only one of them; then, make the conscious decision to practice it for some days, later you can choose to work with another one.
Remember, self-love is a journey, I love the phrase: "Slow growth is a good growth", and it's okay to have ups and downs along the way, good days, bad days, and then, better days, or worse days. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you navigate this process. You deserve love and kindness – from yourself, above all.