"Self love is the wind beneath the wings of all relationships."
-Elin Stebbins Waldal
What does it take to love?
Another person who understands you, cares about you and accepts you the way you are?
I thought so too.
It's a little easier than that. Just a little.
Its about understanding yourself, taking care of yourself and accepting the way you are.
It took me a while to understand this because most of the times we are so caught up in overthinking, self judging and self depreciating that we feel happiest when we love someone else. It makes us feel good about ourselves, it makes us feel like we are capable of giving and receiving love. But that love has no power unless you love yourself enough.
Someone had once told me, "You can never love others unless you love yourself."
Seemed silly to me at that time because I didn't quite understand what it really means. I didn't know how much I loved myself because I was always surrounded by so much love from F&F.
After I came to Chicago I have gotten to know myself better.
I feel raw, sometimes naked and sometimes outrageously insecure.
Never faced these emotions before because I was always protected by a flower blanket ;)
But here it's cold, (often -22 degrees celsius) & obviously there is no flower blanket. There are days without any hugs and kisses which was so rare. There are days without meaningful conversations. There are days stuck in the library with a rocket science equivalent case with almost no human contact. There are days when you skip dinner, eat an unhealthy lunch and the thought of exercise doesn't even cross your mind. In such an atmosphere you often get beneath your own layers. I know I'm making it sound like I'm an onion but you could say that!
That's when you realize how important it is to understand yourself better. Why you do what you do? Why you feel hurt, and what makes you insanely happy? Your insecurities, the little black patches on your snow white cloak, your alter-ego and your grey subconscious!
It's also so important to take care of yourself. Waking up and doing some Yoga (Which I did after 1000 years today), alternating between cups of alcohol and water, eating your greens and keeping the stress level in check. IT'S SO DIFFICULT but it's so necessary!
And lastly, it's important to accept the way you are! Quit the self judging, self depreciating behavior. We all make mistakes, get over it!
And when you love yourself (No I don't mean obsess about yourself), you are so much more capable of spreading your love around and of inviting more love into your life!
This valentine, start with some Self - TLC!
I'm no agony aunt,
Valentine kisses,
Juie
-Elin Stebbins Waldal
What does it take to love?
Another person who understands you, cares about you and accepts you the way you are?
I thought so too.
It's a little easier than that. Just a little.
Its about understanding yourself, taking care of yourself and accepting the way you are.
It took me a while to understand this because most of the times we are so caught up in overthinking, self judging and self depreciating that we feel happiest when we love someone else. It makes us feel good about ourselves, it makes us feel like we are capable of giving and receiving love. But that love has no power unless you love yourself enough.
Someone had once told me, "You can never love others unless you love yourself."
Seemed silly to me at that time because I didn't quite understand what it really means. I didn't know how much I loved myself because I was always surrounded by so much love from F&F.
After I came to Chicago I have gotten to know myself better.
I feel raw, sometimes naked and sometimes outrageously insecure.
Never faced these emotions before because I was always protected by a flower blanket ;)
But here it's cold, (often -22 degrees celsius) & obviously there is no flower blanket. There are days without any hugs and kisses which was so rare. There are days without meaningful conversations. There are days stuck in the library with a rocket science equivalent case with almost no human contact. There are days when you skip dinner, eat an unhealthy lunch and the thought of exercise doesn't even cross your mind. In such an atmosphere you often get beneath your own layers. I know I'm making it sound like I'm an onion but you could say that!
That's when you realize how important it is to understand yourself better. Why you do what you do? Why you feel hurt, and what makes you insanely happy? Your insecurities, the little black patches on your snow white cloak, your alter-ego and your grey subconscious!
It's also so important to take care of yourself. Waking up and doing some Yoga (Which I did after 1000 years today), alternating between cups of alcohol and water, eating your greens and keeping the stress level in check. IT'S SO DIFFICULT but it's so necessary!
And lastly, it's important to accept the way you are! Quit the self judging, self depreciating behavior. We all make mistakes, get over it!
And when you love yourself (No I don't mean obsess about yourself), you are so much more capable of spreading your love around and of inviting more love into your life!
This valentine, start with some Self - TLC!
I'm no agony aunt,
Valentine kisses,
Juie
