How exactly do we love ourselves?
A Month for Love
It’s February, and if you’ve been out and about at all this month, you’ve probably seen the pink and red heart decor that reminds us that Valentine’s day is almost here. There is always a big focus on romantic love during this little holiday, but there are so many other forms of love that you probably experience every week: love for your friends and family, love for your morning cup of coffee, and hopefully, a deep love for yourself.
Today I’m going to zoom in on that last bit: love for your self.
Maybe you think “I totally love myself. I think I’m great!” or maybe you’re on the other end of the spectrum and feel like you are totally unlovable. No matter where you land, I’m willing to bet that there are moments in your day, week, or life, that leave you thinking “wow. I wish I were more…” or “I wish I were less… “ or “I wish I had…”
We live in a world that is constantly asking us to compare, to buy, and to generally be “better.” But what if you loved yourself so deeply that you knew you didn’t actually need to be any other way?
Completely loving yourself doesn’t mean that you are 100% the best person in the world, all day, every day. We’re human, after all. But what it does mean is that we’re able to make room for our whole selves: the “good” and “bad” parts included. And then, we love all of those parts.
So this is my invitation to you this month: don’t look outward toward another person for love, but rather just witness yourself, your thoughts, and your behaviors exactly as they are. And then— as if that thought or behavior were done by someone else that you love so, so dearly — send it all of your love.
Once you start witnessing yourself as you are, and sending your love there, the way you walk through the world changes.
Some Practical Tips
Okay, I know it’s one thing to say and another thing to do, so I’ll leave you with some practical tips that might help you get started with a little bit of extra self-love this month:
Write a few things that you are grateful every day. Make sure to include at least one thing about yourself that you are grateful for on the list.
If you haven’t already, start a meditation practice. A meditation practice can help you begin to witness your thoughts. And once you become a witness to your thoughts, it is a lot easier to send love their way.
List out things you love. You can start small or big (I love my coffee, I love my dog, I love…) gradually turn these loving thoughts inward (I love my breath and the way it supports me, I love my body, I love my generosity, I love…) Allow these to come from your heart.
Sit down and focus on your heart center. Imagine a bright white or green light shining from the center of your heart, illuminating everything it touches. Allow this light to grow as big as you like, for as long as you’d like. Some days it might be small. Some days it might cover the entire planet. However big it grows, just love, love love it.
Try one of these things or all of these things, and let me know how it goes! Send me an email at ginnykhuff@gmail.com, or DM me on Facebook or Instagram.
From the bottom of my heart, I love you all.
May all beings everywhere be happy and free ✨
Ginny Kay
“When you witness a dark thought, a dark thought that isn’t going to get you anywhere, you witness it, and love it”
