What does Valentine's Day mean to you?
Perhaps it's a day where you celebrate the love you have for your partner, your family or your pets.
Perhaps you don't celebrate at all.
Maybe you prefer to go all out for the Galentine's celebrations, get glammed up and enjoy an evening with your favourite gal pals.
But what if we used this day, 14th February, the season of love, to show ourselves a little bit of kindness?
I have quite a turbulent relationship with my body and have always struggled with my body image. Since the age of about 13 I have been very conscious of my weight and trying to get 'into shape'. I have tried countless fad diets, hidden behind shapeless clothes and all for what? It has never made me happy, it always makes me feel like I'm running away from enjoying and living my life to the fullest and I'm done to be honest. I'm done with putting myself down all of the time.
Now at the age of 27 I am trying to show myself that life is too short to spend the entire time hating my body. My body does incredible things for me all the time and I do not show it enough love and gratitude. I know that nobody is perfect and I will have bad days where I might slip back into old habits but I am going to make a promise to myself that 2024 is the year I start being kinder to myself and stop constantly tearing myself down.
And it all starts with a love letter.
So here goes...
I know many of you will also struggle with your body image and I guess I'm writing this blog to show you that you're not alone.
But one thing I will say to you is that the change has to come from YOU.
Start small...
Catch yourself when one of those horrible thoughts comes into your head and correct them. Spin the narrative into something kind.
Grab yourself a pen and paper and write down three things that you love about yourself.
Accept the compliment!- I know it might make you feel all weird, but accept compliments when people give them to you! They've said that nice thing about you because they mean it and they want to make you feel good! That's really special. Say thank you even if you really want to say 'I'm not'.
I'd love for you to join me in making 2024 the year you start treating your body like your best friend. You'll be together a very long time and wouldn't it be so much easier and nicer if you got along?
You've got this, I believe in you.
Love,
Emma x
コメント