30 Days of Self-Love

I am adding onto the ‘Self Love February 2010′ by following 30 Days of Self-Love for the month of September. Each day I will be responding to the posts here about self-love. Join in by commenting below or simply following along with it on your blog.

Sept 1: Confidence
Confidence for me comes when I look at myself not as a body, weight, pant size or even grades at school. But when I see myself for who I truly am beyond anything outside of myself. When I harness my inner spirit.

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Self Love is an experiment, a movement, a place where you CELEBRATE YOU!

We live in a world where we put bowls, blinders, bags over our light. We tend not to shine as brightly as we could.

I posed these question to bloggers:

‘What do you love about yourself?’
‘What have you started loving about yourself?’
‘What are you working on?’

Enjoy their responses. If you’d like to join them either leave a comment here, or e-mail me (eatingjourney at gmail.com) and I’ll feature you throughout February.

M

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Feb 28: Lara

I love that I never settle. There are so many times when it would be easier to accept “good enough,” but I don’t believe in doing that in any area of life, from making the bed in the morning to finding my dream job. Sometimes it means taking the harder, longer road, but I am proud that I stay committed to doing things the right way instead of taking shortcuts or settling for less than what I am capable of.

I am still working on finding a balance with this quality and learning to accept imperfections, but I know that will soon be something I can do. I would accept nothing less

Feb 27: Heather

Right now i feel like i need to focus on what i love about myself first. I love that i’m comfortable for my son to cuddle…he always picks me over anyone else. that might mean i have weight to loss, but it also shows me that he loves me and that he knows i’m a comfort. I love that I have a background in counseling because it makes me easy to talk to. i have alot of friends IRL who feel like i’m the only person who they can say whatever to and i value that alot. oh, and i love to run and i love that i can do it! It feels so weird sayiing what i like about myself, because i don’t want to sound boastful, since that’s basically the exact opposite of how i am.

Now on to what i’m working on… of course my weight is my number one focus. I want to be fit and healthy. I want inner peace…i want stabilty…and the only reason i don’t have it is because of myself. i make problems for myself on a regular basis. i spend out of control, i say things that are out of control to the people i love, i react in an out of control fashion all too often. to make my relationship with my husband better i need to work on me…and the aspects of my life that i can control. As much as I would love to say i can’t control my mood, that’s not true. Exercise helps keeps my moods pretty stable and i have been putting that off for MONTHS…even after my knee was in a condition that could handle it. Exercise makes me feel more content in general, i sleep better, it helps me eat better, it gives me time to myself- my exercise time is time where i’m doing something that’s totally for me. I need to be a better housewife, since for now that’s the job i’ve choosen. i need to make dinner on a regular basis…i need to clean more often and just generally take better care of the house. I know these things aren’t generally enjoyable, but they do give me a sense of purpose. if that makes sense. it makes me feel like i DO play an important role in my family, that i am capable, that i’m not just a useless object.

Feb 26: Mara

Today I love my body, even though it is so sore from working and covered in mosquito bites. I love that it’s tough, and so rarely lets me down no matter how much I ask. I love that as I learn to listen to it better, it responds with equal love and nurture. I love that learning to take care of it isn’t as difficult as it once was, and I love this newfound relationship is more about feeling good than punishing it for its cravings. I love that learning to eat food in moderation means that I can have chocolate cake without guilt, and I love the feeling of my stomach being satisfied without being weighed down and stuffed beyond reason.

Feb 25: A Compulsive Overeater

What I love about myself:

1. I love that I have been binge-free for over two years and feel comfortable in my own skin.
2. I love how I feel at the gym – I feel strong, fit and confident. (Sadly, I do not feel confident outside the gym, not sure why that is.)

What I have come to love about myself:

1. I love that finally, at the age of 41, I am gaining so many types of awareness about myself, things that are helping me to grow as a person.
2. I love that I have started to, for the first time since I was a very young child, tune into my body and listen to what it needs.

What I need to work on:

1. My self-confidence
2. Loving myself as a whole, believing that I bring a lot to the table.

Feb 24: Shauna

Self love answer!  I love that I can laugh at myself and find the humour in any situation… eventually! I also like that I’m resilient. I’m working on: listening to my instincts more and to stop squashing the little voice inside that wants to be bold and brave.

Feb 23: Becky

I love that I used to be a secret smoker and would never exercise and now I can run 3 miles without stopping! I love that my eyes went from brown to hazel over the course of my life and wow, what those eyes have seen so far has been amazing. I have realized how wonderful having such straight hair is, I never have to waste precious morning minutes with the likes of a straightener, thereby getting more time with my beautiful children. I love that I can admit my faults out loud to the virtual world and beyond and I am excited to continue my goal of becoming a better mom, friend, person, and well…overall, just live my life in truth.

Feb 22: Brandon

I love that I’m a naturally happy and positive person. I almost always have a smile on my face. I always try to look on the bright side of any situation. I always try to cheer up friends and family when they’re down. I don’t sweat the small stuff. I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt. I love to smile and laugh, and I do so often. I figure this is the only life we have, so why not enjoy the ride as much as possible?

I’m still learning to love my body. I’ve been overweight for as long as I can remember, and I’ve never been terribly fond of my body. But this is the only body I’ve got, so I’ve got to learn to love what I have. And part of loving my body is taking care of it by making healthy eating choices and getting in shape. That way, I’ll get to enjoy an even longer relationship with my body.

Feb 21: Teresa

‘What do you love about yourself?’ I love my can do spirit.  I don’t give up and I’ve instilled that into my children as well.  It doesn’t matter if I’m not at my best, I can always get it done and it makes me feel GREAT!

‘What have you started loving about yourself?’ My lower half of my body.  Majority of my life I was very thin but I had a huge butt.  After having children I “grew” into my body but it wasn’t until about 5 yrs ago that I truly began to realize the power in my lower half and fell in love with my curves.  I’ve come to love them even more everyday.

‘What are you working on? My top half  I love weight training and I’ve seen the progress in the last year to see the true definition of strength.  Not only am I stronger and can do more, my guns are looking good!!!! Now the focus is strengthening my core so that I can complete my half marathon and other races and be an all around strong, fit diva!

Feb 20: Mrs.Fatass

Okay. Leave it to MrsFatss to turn this cool idea into something raunchy and blue, but part of what Self-Love means to me right now is, well, sex. I’ve been fat and I’ve been fit, and my libido ebbs and flows accordingly. There have been periods of time when I had absolutely zero interest in sex, much to Trophy Husband’s chagrin, and it really had nothing to do with the love or affection I felt for my man – but it had everything to do with my love and affection for me. I mean, I didn’t even want to have sex with myself! So that’s major.

It’s no good to forget how wonderfully important sex is, whether it be on your own or with a partner. To deprive oneself of this most basic and instinctual pleasure most certainly affects other issues and insecurities. At least it does for me. The demons are scarier, the curves look bigger, I see the flaws before I see the beauty. But really, who’s going to love me if I don’t love myself? Like, in that private way? It should be no less a priority than giving up diet soda or hitting the gym a couple of times a week. So I’m all for embracing whatever it is that turns you on – man or woman, plastic or flesh, story or movie or just the most powerful stimulant of all – your own imagination, and get to it. Love yourself.

Feb 19: Paula

I love that I am easy going. I tend to take things as they are.
I have come to love my personality. I am shy and always felt intimidated. I am ok with being shy and reserved. I just don’t let myself get intimidated anymore.
I am working on my health. I would like to be a more “trim” version of the current.

Feb 18: Donna

I love…

• First light in the morning
• Breathing fresh air
• The sound of waves crashing on the shore
• Beach sand between my toes
• Empty desert landscapes
• Clear, unbroken, blue sky horizons
• Movement
• Being able to swim, bike and run
• Laughing when it all gets too much
• My absolute determination and willpower
• Being at peace with myself
• Putting it all into perspective
• A hug, a hand squeeze, a pat on a shoulder – showing that you care, showing you that I care…
• Breathing deeply
• Unexpected colours at sunset
• Shades of violet
• The smell of night blooming jasmine
• Life…

I thought I would approach this by trying to show, through a stream of consciousness, what I love and what I love about me. I would describe myself as observant, emotional, determined, and sensitive. When I thought about your February challenge, I found myself surrounded by images, sensations, emotions – but not words.

Feb 17: Cynthia

I love that God has created me and has given me the ability to do far more than I ever would have imagined for myself.  I love that all my little quirks can be used to help others to feel better about themselves and learn about themselves.  I’ve grown to love my OCD tendencies.  Sure they are annoying at times but the allow me to make my health a true priority and to keep everything in life in order even when it seems like it should fall apart.  And right now I’m working on loving the fact that perfection is not always attainable and I should be okay with that.  I strive so hard to be a perfect wife, pastor, friend, blogger, daughter, but sometimes I’ll fail and I need to be okay with that.  I’m not supposed to be perfect and that would be boring.  I need to love me imperfections and all.

Feb 16: Diana

When I was younger I used to dislike being of mixed nationalities (my mom is Filipina and my dad is American) because I used to get made fun of for being different. Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace being different and that being different can sometimes be a good thing. Now I love being half Filipina!

Feb 15: Susan

I love that I am simple-minded. I can almost always simplify the mess that is life and come out drama-free. I’ve come to love my anxiety disorder. It’s something I’ve recently embraced, and it makes dealing with it much easier. I’m still trying to learn how to love my life. I’ve spent too long ignoring it, and I want to love being part of it again.

Feb 14: Sarah

I love that I have an inexhaustible curiosity and a never-ending appetite for knowledge. Even more than that, I love that I’m not scared to change my mind as my understanding evolves.

I have come to love that I have a passion that drives me to fight for the things I believe in, even when it makes me unpopular or I never see the fruits of my labour. I used to hate this about myself because I have been criticised since I can remember for being ‘too intense’. I have tried to ‘turn off’ my passion to please others, but I have learned that only leads to misery. Embracing it is the only way I can be free to be me.

I am working on recognising how far I have come, rather than focusing on how far I have left to go. I am also trying to find a balance – the place between complete control and total abandon.

Feb 13: Natalie

I love that I am intelligent, caring and independent.  I love that I do whatever I can to pretty much anyone around. I would exhaust myself to make someone’s life better. I also love that I have begun putting that same effort to myself.  I have finally found a place where I do not feel selfish for doing things to better myself. I am working on this becoming second-nature to me, and just becoming more aware of my own needs.  I am quick to pick up on someone’s silent cues but still learning how to read my own.

Feb 12: Katie

I love that I feel like a bright light in the world and that people who meet me are inspired by my joy and enthusiasm.

I love that I no longer obsess about the size of my thighs and instead I am consumed with the size of my heart.

I love my tiny waist, my perfect boobs, my navel piercing, my tattoos, my long neck, my back and my hands and feet.

I love that I am smart, sexy, funny, confident, crazy, passionate, creative, inappropriate, beautiful and complex.

But most of all, I love that I have discovered that I don’t need fixing or improving in order to love and to be loved.

Feb 11: Steve

I love that every day I am accomplishing new things, things that I never though I’d be capable of doing.  And that has helped me love myself a bit more, because selflove is not really something I’ve felt deserving of before.  It’s all very much a work in progress, but it is progressing, and that is quite awesome to me

Feb 10: ME!!!!!

I love that no matter what, I crave/thirst/hunger for the continual evolution and growth for myself. I have learned that living for yourself is the most important thing. I love my laugh. I love my wit. I enjoy being around others and learning from them. I have strived to keep an open-mind and a cool temper. The process of learning this has reaped more than I thought imaginable.

To be honest, I am grateful that I am as open as I am. Many times people will comment on this. It’s my heart speaking and I am thankful that somewhere in me I find the courage to be real everyday.

Ohh, and I LOVE my collarbones.

Feb 10: Nicole

I love how mentally strong that I have become as I get older.  It can only get better from here.  I have come to love myself (my quirky, nerdy self) for me.  For years, I would pick every imperfection out on myself, and criticize it.  There is always room for improvement, but I don’t punish myself a million times for my imperfections like I used to do.  I still have to tell myself sometimes (although not as much), “It’s okay to make mistakes!  It’s how I learn to be better!”

Feb 9: Ryan

I’ve always been able to draw laughter out of people in one way or another. BOOGER. I love that.
I’ve never had a fear of speaking in public. I really love that.
I’ve always thought I had particularly nice feet even though they’re really big. I like them too.

I’ve learned to love my ability to work. I didn’t know I had it in me until now.
I’ve come to appreciate my ability to love unconditionally. I didn’t know I could until my children were born.
I’m learning every day to love my body for the miracle it is. I wish I would have seen it sooner.

I’m focused on never telling myself I can’t do something. Every day I work on removing “can’t” from my vocabulary.
I am constantly working toward loving my physical appearance. Every day I see something new.
I want to learn to LIVE every day. Today I am living.

Feb 9: Erin

What do I love about myself? I love that I’m not afraid of a challenge, whether it’s moving to a completely foreign country or pursuing sky-high goals. I’ve learned to love my body and realize that no one is perfect, so why not aim to be the best ME that I can be? As I get older, I grow more confident, self-assured and capable of loving and being loved. Life is a miracle and a gift — I’m so happy to have realized that before it’s too late and start loving every moment of my time here.

8 Feb: Jenelle

I’m a firm believer in self-love. You can’t ever really love someone else if you don’t love yourself first.

1. I love my ability to focus and make what I want out of life a reality. It has helped me find true happiness.
2. I’ve learned to love my body as a whole – it’s stronger than I ever thought it could be.
3. I’m working on loving my belly. Its leftover stretch marks and extra jiggle from a bit of excess skin is a daily reminder of where I once was and why I never want to be morbidly obese again.

8 Feb: Maria

I love that I am an open book. Some people tell me that putting my whole self out there is not a good idea. That I should keep some things to myself because others may use these things against me in the future. I say – NO WAY!! I have NO secrets. I believe that secrets rot your soul and there is nothing inside me that I am ashamed of. Everything I’ve ever done or said or tried and failed has brought me where I am and made me WHO I am. I like who I am and plan on sharing myself with everyone I meet from now until the day I die. And I plan on doing it with a smile on my face!!

Feb 7: Tricia

During the course of the past year I have lost 122 pounds and found out a lot about myself. I LOVE that I am a very goal driven person. This joureny has shown me I can accomplish anything and I LOVE that sense of empowerment. I LOVE how strong and healthy my body has become. I LOVE how I wake up each day excited about all the possibilities my life holds.

6 Feb: Jen

–Literally what you love:
I love my sense of humor and my crazy love for music.  My creativity.  My dedication to friends and family.

–What you’ve come to love:
My place in the blogging world.  My obsessive nature.  The ups and downs of my moods and brain craziness.  My writing.

–What you’re working on:
Love for my body.  It’s a tough one, but I’m working on it every day through the support of friends in the blogging community and in my own mind.

5 Feb: Abby

I love that I’m flexible! I love that changes in plans don’t throw me off. I love that I can adjust quickly and willingly to support, encourage and accommodate the people that I love. I love that I don’t look at this as a weakness–I don’t feel that I’m being walked on or taken advantage of. I am so thankful that God has given me this gift to use to the benefit and blessing of others. How can that be a weakness?!

4 Feb:  Julie

I love how I feel stronger and more in-tune with my body every day.  As I start to increase my strength training and yoga, and take on new fitness challenges like spinning and running a half-marathon, I am amazed at how strong and able my body feels.  It is driving me to listen to my body and figure out what works best for me.

3 Feb: Diane

What I love is that even when I felt unhappy with my appearance I was still able to love other people unconditionally. What I’ve come to love is my past – the hard times still had a lot of joy. One thing I’m still working on is loving my life where I am right now.

3 Feb:  Marisa

This is probably one of the hardest questions anyone has asked me.  It’s so difficult to highlight things that I love (or even like, for that matter!) about myself when I’ve spent many years highlighting all the things I hate.  So, this needed some thought and introspection.  And although this is a bit uncomfortable since I’m not always “yay, me” but rather “yay, other people”, I decided to approach this like I would if I was telling these things to a friend.  Does that make sense?  Okay, here goes…

What I LOVE about myself:

1. I always have a smile on my face, whether I’m happy or not and I love to laugh. :D
2. I have come to love my curvy body.  I will never be “stick thin” and have finally realized that I don’t want to be anyway.  Curves are where it’s at!
3. I am still working on accepting my stretch marks.  They are everywhere…arms..stomach..legs..lower back.  I have dreams of being comfortable enough to wear a tank top and not feel embarassed about these scars.  One day…

2 Feb:  MizFit

What I love about myself is the fact that I can laugh at myself and that I possess the ability to make others laugh as well.
It’s interesting to me that, as I type this, it feels almost as ‘prideful’/boastful/uncomfortable to me as saying I HAVE A ROCKIN BOD! or something along those lines as well. Yet it is my favorite thing about me.
I dont take myself overly seriously and, to that end, can quickly help others around me feel both at ease and—I hope—begin to take themselves & life a smidge less seriously as well. In a good way.

Once upon a time I lived in Guatemala for a while.  One day I was ambling around with my daughter on my back in a sling when outofnowhere (as happened frequently there) a parade sprung up and someone (in excitement) tossed a firework our direction.  I RAN, like the awkward gazelle that I am, quickly in the opposite direction and we were fine.
It was in that moment that I realized I may be ENTIRELY uncoordinated (I am. Hence the love of the weight training over, say, cardio hiphop class) but my body works pretty damn quickly & well when I ask it to.  For that I am grateful & love it.

People often ask me how I can help other people in the realm of fitness when I don’t struggle with it myself to a great degree.  To me the notion of struggle is universal and I can easily translate mine into a different realm.  I’m working on loving myself where I am TODAY with regards to my career & *not* comparing to others and thinking I should/must/ought to be where they are already.

2 Feb: Liz

I love that even though I have fallen off the wagon hundreds of times, I’ve gotten back up every single time. I am learning to take every negative occurrence and every challenge in life as a stepping stone to grow from the inside. We are presented with challenges in order to learn life’s lessons. If everything went perfect all the time, we would be content with a lackluster life.

I’ve working on learning to appreciate my body for the things it DOES and not the way it LOOKS. This body gets me through hours of workouts each week, free of injury! I can’t think of any other machine that actually gets BETTER the harder you work it. I have to learn to be thankful for my body, and it will thank me in return.

1 Feb: Caitlin

I love my courage.  I’m so much more courageous than I ever thought I would be!  Even when I think I can’t do something (run a marathon, race in a triathlon), I just TRY.  Before a new race or a new challenge, I am scared – shaking in my boots – yet I just dive right in.  I would love to rid myself of all self-doubt, but sometimes I think that having to face our fears and just DO IT can be so liberating.  Maybe I love my fear a little, too!

1 Feb: Mandy

I love that I’m creative, loyal and willing to change and grow. I’ve come to love my body as I nourish it and watch it get stronger and more capable. I’m working on trusting myself, my body and my abilities and silencing the mental talk that tells me I CAN’T and replacing with I CAN.

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