As the holiday season approaches the conversation of gratitude is often thrown around frequently. Scientific studies have even proven a plethora of benefits that show how expressing gratitude can improve one’s mental and physical health. When we talk about gratitude we often mention family, friends, and having our basic needs including shelter and food met. The expression of gratitude tends to reflect our external environments. However, since we are having this conversation of gratitude I wanted to bring up the idea of self. How often are we allowed the space to be grateful to ourselves? How can expressing gratitude for one's own identity, abilities, talents, and failures allow us to speak more kindly about ourselves and boost our self-esteem?
If you are someone like me, talking about yourself can be sort of..uncomfortable? However, I believe that gratitude for external environments should also be reflected internally as well. When you express your gratitude for your family and friends, make sure to include yourself! You work hard, you got this far, and despite what things may feel like you’re getting through this life thing with no blueprint!
Basically, what I’m trying to say is that when you’re giving thanks this holiday season make sure to fill up that self-love tank and don’t be shy!
“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.” -- Buddha
So what are some small steps we can take to fill up our own self-love tank? Here are 3 quick tips!
1. Write down 30 things you love about yourself
I saw this video on Tik Tok recently of someone who shared a tip from their therapist. It said to open up your Notes app on your phone and write down 30 things you like about yourself. Even if it’s difficult, it’s important that you write all 30 things down. Whenever you’re feeling anxious, or upset about yourself you’ll have this list to refer back to.
Here's a link to the TIk Tok below:
2. Practice daily affirmations
Affirmations can sound silly at times however, practicing affirmations and making sure to repeat them to yourself can help motivate you, help spark necessary life-style changes, and help boost your self esteem. Our inner narrative is important, so making sure that our self-talk is a positive one is crucial. As someone who used to have a really debilitating/negative self-talk, I found myself in situations where it was impossible to get anything done without walking on egg-shells and being stopped by fear. However, once I began to switch up my inner voice, I started to believe her too! Here are a short list of daily affirmations that have helped me if you needed a starting place:
Today I feel grateful for myself because I know that I am grounded in purpose
Every cell in my body vibrates with love
I invite harmony, peace, and balance into my body
I respect and cherish my journey
I release the need for certainty and control and trust my process
I reframe each struggle in my life as an opportunity to grow
I release the pressure to be perfect
3. Corn-ball moment: give yourself a hug, it hasn’t been an easy year!
Give yourself a hug. Give your body the recognition and love it deserves. It has not been an easy year and the simple fact that you are here today is enough. Recognize your resilience, you couldn’t have gotten this far if you didn’t show up for yourself.