Life is an ongoing evolution of transformations with change being the only constant . Change meaning- yes , things change , but also our conscious efforts to incite change so that we may step into the next amazing version of ourselves . This means the good elevating bits along with the sticky , even gloomy bits .
Let ’ s start first , with getting clear on the fact that self-care and self-love , though commonly used interchangeably , are not the same thing .
You can have self-care with little-to-no selflove , but you cannot have self-love without self-care .
Self-care is taking time to care for yourself to tend to your needs and desires . However , self-care does not equal self-love .
Self-care isn ’ t a to-do though it oftentimes involves an act or a to-do in which we reward ourselves .
Self-care is more than this , it ’ s a practice , a dedication to yourself that leads to self-love . ( And , it ’ s totally normal to engage in acts of self-care as a to-do until it builds itself naturally into a practice . You ’ ve got to start somewhere !)
Self-care as a practice leads to self-love . Like following a map if-you-will ; a treasurehunt even .
Self-love isn ’ t an escape from your feelings or the world- it ’ s a retreat to self . When this feeling of wanting to escape , to get away from reality surfaces , it is time to schedule a sacred conversation with you , yourself and you , and retreat .
This retreat to self is all-encompassing . It means that sometimes the greatest act in loving yourself is caring enough to hold space for the feelings that aren ’ t so great and are vying for your attention , not just the- I want to chill , I want to relax , I want to celebrate- feelings .
Yes , I am talking about the emotions you run away from , the emotions you fear and the emotions you keep putting off for another day ; the sticky and gloomy bits .
Self-love is giving yourself permission to be fully raw and vulnerable while simultaneously being compassionate and fully accepting of the rawness . - uncomfortable , or not , full of fear and doubt , or not .
No shiny objects required . No big to-do ’ s or grand gestures necessary .
Self-love is YOU BEing fully and UNAPOLOGETICALLY PRESENT , IN-THE- NOW , for YOU , YOURSELF & YOU because you are worth it .
In other words , self-love is BEing fully present and getting real with yourself . This means that it isn ’ t always sunshine and rainbows .
A soak in the tub or a walk on the beach aren ’ t going to cut it when what you need is a good cleanse-your-soul cry to cleanse your mind , body , spirit and soul or a scream out loud into your pillow release . No , those acts are for rejuvenating yourself after the cry , after the reflection , after becoming super-duper crystal clear on what you need to release .
Just as light cannot exist without darkness , sunshine and rainbows don ’ t appear without there first being rain .
WISDOM & SELF-GROWTH
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