Body Confidence: 3 Habits for Planting the Self Love Seed

WELLNESS

Jul 14

ESSENTIALLY ME

Hi yogis, lovers, and friends. My hope is that you're all enjoying your summer season and taking care of your body + mind. I want you to know that next week, a new episode on swirlybae radio will be posted! I'm going to to go in depth, for the first time ever, on my experiences with bullying and the identity crisis I had growing up. The goal with my dialogue project on soundcloud is to share a little more about my life with my readers to bring greater awareness to this idea of inclusivity and understanding of the cultural experiences of others. It is so important in this current political and racial climate we are living in. For me, I will discuss what it was like growing up multiethnic and how that formed my outlook today.

In the meantime, I want to share some positivity with you today, specifically on the topic of self love. More than ever before, we are living in a time where we have become more open to seeking wellness and mental health resources. Body positivity is becoming more widespread. People have become more open to self care because it boils down to this premise that we all need self love. Body confidence comes from a healthy perception of ourselves, and it's something we have all struggled with. But it's okay to love yourself, it's okay to not fall into the pressures of fitting in.

In this post, I want to share 3 essential tips for planting those self care seeds. Remember, seeds need time to grow: patience + gratitude + love are required if you want to reap the benefits!

If we are to bear the fruits, we must take accountability in our actions and make conscious efforts to build up the love we want for ourselves. In other words, we need to make time for soul-feeding moments. Sometimes we put all of our energy into trying to be something we are not and we get caught up in only pointing out the imperfections. We need to allow ourselves to see beauty in things beyond us. When we look outside of our image, it gives us a perspective on what is most important. Make time for organic actions, moments that purify your spiritual self.

These moments can be something small + simple //

Taking a walk
Watering your plants
Giving yourself a good body scrub
Meal prepping for your week
Or it can be something selfless //
Volunteering your time to a cause
Helping someone get ahead in some way, shape, or form
Donating what you don't use
Supporting a small business

Sometimes we fall prey to peer pressures. Especially in school or in certain crowds, we want to achieve a certain image. We focus solely on body type or make comparisons. We fail to recognize the amount of knowledge and wisdom we carry with us, the other amazing characteristics and traits that have equal value! We look to others for "The standard beauty look" and sometimes use up our energy + time + money as a way of getting acceptance. But it is so important to explore your skills and talents, the other facets that make up who you are.

Sometimes, our power comes in a unique way. Our value is not our hair type or nose structure or the shoes we wear. It can surprise us when we realize what we have to offer! When we invest our time in sharpening our skills and talents, it plants a seed for the soul. It says, "You are more than your body, you are empowered." I think it's such a great moment when you feel good about yourself from the inside out, because you are not a one-trick pony! You are versatile and unique.

The notions and ideas we chase after in our minds have greater influence than we think. What we tell ourselves impacts our reality every day, it impacts our self-esteem. I know I've been in that place of insecurity or feeling out of control. But when I have these struggles, I work on reminding myself of what is most important. I allow my future self to tell my present self that I will make it through. It's important to tell yourself positive affirmations and channel them through your work and in your downtime. These thoughts are the essential ingredients to your garden of confidence. As you think, so you will become.

Some of my favorite affirmations are//