Self-Love

Have you noticed the amount of Valentine’s Day advertising around you? Quick fact: Valentine’s Day is the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.

It is wonderful we have a day reminding us to express our love but do not let this be confined to one day. Also, DO NOT FORGET ABOUT YOURSELF. We do not need to rely on others to feel loved. Compassion, respect, and positivity increase in our lives when we treat ourselves and others with love. There is enough negativity in the world – let us focus on adding positivity.

“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.”
– Malcolm S. Forbes

Here is a list of self-love activities: 20 Ways to Show Yourself Some Love (and Feel Amazing)

Lastly, our sense of self-love is taught to us from the time we are children. So, do not forget about the kiddos! Try having them list 1 thing they love about themselves, 2 fun things about themselves, 3 ways they show kindness to others, 4 positive qualities they have, and 5 things they did well this week.

Putting Myself First in 2018

In 2018, I Will Put Myself First

“I want to feel the peace within, and I want all the scars on my soul to fade away. I will fight every thought about not being able to do something because I have had enough negative thoughts and that is not something I want to keep doing in the next year.”

• I will leave the past in the past and focus on moving forward.
• I will let go of negative, toxic people.
• I will focus on just being me even if people do not like me.
• I will respect myself more.
• I will let go of others’ opinions about me.
• I will love myself.
• I am going to choose myself, think positively, and accept myself.

How Do You Want to See the World?

10 fantastic ideas on how to Become an Optimist including identifying the purpose of the pessimism, write down negative thoughts, look for positive aspects in a situation, take notice when discounting positive feedback (it is okay to accept a compliment!), and do not forget to practice, practice, practice.  Let go of the negative and embrace the positive.

Silence the Inner Critic

Talk to yourself in a productive and helpful way and silence the negativity because “putting yourself down will only hold you back.”

Seven Ways to Silence Your Inner Critic

Negative Core Beliefs

“Children need safety and stability. It is much less chaotic for a child to think something is wrong with himself than to think he cannot rely on the people upon whom he depends for food, shelter, and survival.” -Goodtherapy.org

Negative core beliefs can develop into self-hatred. Use these three tips to help avoid implementing negative core beliefs in your child: Negative Core Beliefs: How They Affect Kids and What to Do.