Treating Myself with Love and Kindness for Optimal Self-Care
In a world where we often find ourselves navigating the complexities of life, it’s easy to forget one crucial element: self-compassion. We are quick to extend grace and understanding to our community when they go through challenging times, recognizing the limitations of their humanity. But what about extending that same grace and love to ourselves? This journey of self-love and self-compassion is a powerful awakening that transforms our lives and leads to improved mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
When we witness the struggles and trials of those around us, it’s a natural instinct (for me!) to be empathetic and understanding. We acknowledge that everyone has their story, their battles, their doubts, demons, even. We see their imperfections as a part of their humanity, and we extend a helping hand or a kind word, providing solace and support.
However, it’s not always as easy to offer the same level of grace to ourselves. Can I get an amen, somebody?! Imagine if you heard your favorite person in the world talking to themselves– beating up on themselves!– like you do to yourself?! We often carry the weight of self-criticism, judgment, and unrealistic expectations. We let stigma, fear, and shame take root in our lives like wildflowers of terror, suffocating our self-esteem and self-worth.
And the truth is, their story is also mine. There’s nothing new under the sun. We abolish shame by acknowledging and accepting the hard truths about themselves. Not just the parts that we love about ourselves, but the immature parts of us, too. One way I learned to extend myself grace is by speaking as lovingly and kindly to myself as I do to my loved ones. As loving as I am with my 8 year old nephew. If you knew how harshly I spoke to myself, you’d see why. I used to speak about myself terribly. Don’t let me make a mistake. Heaven forbid! Can you relate?
The awakening comes
when we realize that we deserve the same compassion and understanding that we readily give to our peoples. Our community. Our tribe. We start treating ourselves with the kindness and love that we so freely bestow upon others. We begin to see ourselves through the same lens of empathy, recognizing our own imperfections as part of our beautiful, unique story. And accepting it as such.
It’s a journey towards self-love that transcends the world’s conditional, transactional definition of love. After all, “Love is patient, love is kind.” You know the passage, right? Instead of seeking validation from external sources, we need to learn to love ourselves as profoundly as we believe God loves us. Love that is unwavering, unconditional, all-encompassing. Love that doesn’t apologize for itself. Love that withstands societal expectations or judgments. Love that “keeps no records of wrongs”. Yeah, that kinda deep love. True love.
As we embark on this path of self-compassion and self-love, we come to a place where we prioritize what truly matters. I recognize that if it isn’t in alignment with the love that God has for me, I don’t want it. I surrender the need for “control” and external approval and choose to instead embrace the divine grace that surrounds me. In surrendering to a higher purpose, I find strength and peace, ultimately contributing to my improved mental, emotional, spiritual, and now financial, well-being.
Extend Yourself Grace™️ isn’t just the name of my business. It’s what I learned along my way of losing 100 lbs, and it’s what’s helped me sustain the weight loss. Learning to extend ourselves grace is a transformative part of the journey. It’s about treating ourselves with the same kindness, love, and understanding that we offer our peoples. It’s shedding the stigmas, fears, and shame, and stepping into the radiant light of self-love by way of our faith in God. As we embrace this path, we discover a profound connection with a love that is unwavering and divine, leading to optimal self-care and improved mental and emotional well-being.
Thy will, not ours, be done. Amen.
