The biggest barrier to self-love is often body-love.

We women are taught to analyze and criticize our bodies from a young age. We see constant images in the media of beyond perfect bodies and we are taught to believe that we can achieve the same with a new diet, cream, exercise program, or you name it. This teaches us to pick apart our bodies and to see them as individual body parts instead of as a whole person. We talk of problem areas that we try to fix or hide. We frequently get ashamed, frustrated, or embarrassed by the way we look.

This is a normal part of our culture, but this does not need to be a normal part of your life.

It is great to strive to be healthier, stronger, etc. but not at the cost of loving yourself and your body right now. If you do not learn to love your body now, then you will never be satisfied.  Don’t believe me?

Let me guess: you have looked back at old pictures of yourself and thought ‘Man, I looked pretty good then.’ ‘I wish I looked that good now.’ ‘I can’t believe I thought I was fat then’…. And the list goes on. Sound familiar?

The grass always seems greener on the other side, but let’s change that now. Let’s work together to change how you see yourself and your body. Let’s turn self-critiques into self-love. When you decide to change how you are eating or exercising, it will be because you want to take better care of yourself. It will not be because you are punishing yourself for not looking the way you want to look.

Deal?

Here is one way to get started –

Look at yourself in the mirror. I recommend doing this naked, but you can start with clothes on if that makes you more comfortable. Do this in a full-length mirror where you can see all of yourself. Fight the temptation to analyze or scrutinize. See yourself as a whole person, not just individual body parts. Repeat this mantra to yourself with a smile – I am beautiful. I love myself, and I deserve love.

Sending you so much love,

Danielle

P.S. If you are looking for more self-love join the free 5 day self-love adventure and get the party started!