Learning To Love Yourself
& and Ways To Increase Your Own Happiness
This year has been the hardest year for me and for so many. Coming out of lock down, reconnecting with family and people around you, work life, getting back to travelling and so much more.
I came to a point this this year, where I hit a point where I realised I needed to take control of my life.
To finally take time to slow down and allow myself this time to heal properly and feed the things in my head that I have been holding back.
Some may know iv had a wild journey with my health, gut and hormones for around 7 years or maybe not as this isn’t something I share unless lightly. The past 2-3 years I have spent so much energy in trying to heal my body and to finally get healthy again.
In 2020 I ended up pushing myself to far once again.
Being healthy and having a fully functioned body is so important Yes, but what we seem to forget is, so is having a healthy relationship with ourselves and our own bodies.
We focus so much of our time on how our bodies look, making sure our health is at its best and if there’s something wrong we try to fix it.
But do you ever make yourself a priority: your mental health, stress and how your feeling inside about yourself is also so vital.
If you haven’t done the internal work, not addressing your stress or not connected to your own body then your never going to heal fully.
Loving yourself for who you are .. is how your going to healing.
Learn to
LOve Yourself
Being someone who danced, competed in swimming and travelled a lot.. Never allowing myself to fully rest and relax. Never fully sitting with your emotions and constantly pushing them aside.
This lead me to to suffering with adrenal fatigue and server problems with my hormones and painful digestive issues.
So.. this month as I'm writing this post (currently in a coffee shop) as I have decided to put ME / My happiness first.. which is something I'm defiantly still working on.
Ways To Increase Your Own Happiness & Creating The Life You Want
Slow Rising Morning
Try starting your morning peaceful. Wake up and simply do 5-10 minutes stretching for yourself. Some days I find waking up early before the sunrises and whilst its still dark. I find this more peaceful to be up before others to feel like your on your own.
Go make your morning coffee or herbal tea. For me there's nothing better. Sit with your coffee or any warm drink and just breath, think about what you want from your day, listen to something that will make smile, think about the person you want to be & be that person.
Getting out of your head
Most of the time as humans we are in our head, overthinking, worrying or what we have to accomplish.
Maybe its music, podcast, blog post, a book or journaling....
I find these are the best ways to stop the thinking,
- So putting music on and dancing along to it,
- Maybe listening to a podcast while out on a walk/hike, cooking or driving in your car
- Reading someone else's blog posts that's positive or helpful to you in someway.
- Journaling is one of my favourite to get the thoughts in my head.. out!
Try writing out your thoughts that you are constantly thinking about, write out the things you need to do so its less to try and remember.Get out in nature
I think the best way to feel your best is to get out into nature. Surround yourself with greenery, a forest, the mountains, a lake, the beach.. anywhere outdoors that you will find peaceful and relaxing. I find being on my own is best sometimes or with another person you feel good around to share that with.
Also, taking time out to put your phone away, don't use your social apps and just take that time to breathe in the fresh air. Doing even the little things really help.. taking your dog out or maybe a neighbours dog for them, saying hello to people you walk past and making eye contact instead of avoiding them.Mood board it out
Some people may find this unnecessary but having photos of what you want from this year or the new year on your wall are helpful prompts that you need to & help you achieve it. This will make you see those things everyday and push you towards making them happen.Start loving yourself
I know I’m not the only one out there who has suffered with feeling uncomfortable in their own skin. Not liking what you see or criticizing yourself. Look, I get it…
But its time you start embracing the woman / man that you are.
The tips and advise I have learnt recently:
- Look at yourself in the mirror & learn to like what you see. Be naked with yourself and learn to get comfortable with that instead of hiding away.
- Put on music and dance in your own space. Let your body go!
- Indulge in self-care. This is so important to take time for yourself: warm baths, massages, fitness class, a hobby or anything that is time for you.
- Buy yourself the flowers, the aftershave, something you’ve been wanting… own your power!Be honest with yourself
Instead of ignoring your feelings and constantly pushing them aside, waying you down. Open yourself up... allow yourself to feel those things, explore WHY there making you feel that way, asking yourself is this good for me, is this something important I need to be thinking/worrying about.. If not, just let it go.
This was one area I found the hardest... Allowing yourself to actually open up to these feelings when maybe your used to telling yourself not to. In todays society sometimes crying or showing your emotions is seen as week or being 'mard'..
When really... we're all just human, meaning we all have these things called emotions and feelings for a reason. Its normal! Stop reading this now and just allow yourself to breath for a minute, breath deep & then let it go....
Realise for yourself what YOU want - if something isn’t in line with your life anymore, it/they are making you feel down or upset - this is your sign to move on, let that thing go. These hold us back and stop us from becoming who we truly want to be, we lower our confidence and self worth which takes a toll on your mental health.
Finally..
Just realise that this life we live is so short. So go after whatever it is you want out of this time you have. Create the life you cant stop thinking about.
The good memories to look back on, not the bad ones.
I've always said, don't look back when your older and wish 'I should have done it'.
Do it now, throw your whole heart at it and if something doesn't work at least you know you tried instead of thinking ' what if '.
Smile at yourself in the mirror - Be happy with who you are!
Sending all my love..
Jess
Some amazing people who have helped me:
@Wheresmollie - amazing woman who has been part of my journey for the longest time!
@Georgie_holt - someone who I have only followed recently but such an incredible woman who uses movement in the body, Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
@BenSmithLive - Ben is a Gut Health Coach and has been my rock in healing my gut from the ground up. Owning his own business and App, from going through IBS himself and is now helping other people to heal too.
