SAD, also known as S.A.D or Seasonal Affective Disorder is a condition or syndrome that many people suffer from during the winter months. It is similar to a depressive disorder and shares much of the same symptoms. However with the beginning of spring this depression will start to lift. SAD should not be confused with a more common condition called winter blues.
Setting intentions to love yourself.
Have you ever thought about setting intentions to love yourself? In a world that often encourages us to put others first, it’s easy to overlook the importance of self-love. But what if we made a conscious effort to acknowledge our feelings, set personal boundaries, be kind to ourselves, and celebrate our uniqueness? In this article, we’ll explore the power of setting these intentions and how they can transform the way we relate to ourselves and the world around us. So grab a cup of tea, find a cozy spot, and let’s dive into the wonderful journey of self-love together!”
What is an intention?
An intention is like a personal roadmap for showing yourself some love and care. It’s about declaring to yourself and the world what you want to invite into your life to nurture your well-being.
Setting an intention for self-love can be a game-changer. When you declare your intention to love and care for yourself, you’re actively directing your focus and energy towards nurturing your well-being. It’s like giving yourself permission to prioritize your own happiness and fulfillment. By setting this intention, you’re planting the seeds of self-love in your mind and heart, and you’ll find yourself naturally moving towards thoughts and actions that support this intention. It’s a powerful way to shift your mindset and create a positive ripple effect in your life.
After all if we can’t love and accept ourselves, how can we expect anyone else to? So here we go.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
It’s an odd paradox that the person we spend the most time with (our self) is the one who often gets the least of our quality time and focus. –Angela Wheeler, PhD
The first step towards loving yourself is to be aware of your feelings. Acknowledge them without judgment or hesitation by accepting that they are valid and real. You don’t have to act on every feeling—you can observe them and let them just move along without analysing them. This will help you gain insight into your true nature, allowing you to better understand what makes you unique and special in this world.
Acknowledging our feelings can be challenging, but it is crucial to practice loving yourself. It is okay to feel sad, anxious, or frustrated. We need to accept our emotions and understand that they are a natural part of the human experience. By acknowledging our feelings, we can learn to manage them better and take care of ourselves.
One way to acknowledge our feelings is to write them down in a journal. We can also talk to a trusted friend or family member about our emotions.
It is essential to remember that we are not alone and that there is no shame in seeking help.
Setting Boundaries, aka Pass the Bean Dip
Setting boundaries allows us to protect our energy while also respecting other people’s needs as well. When we set clear boundaries we are saying “no” when we need to but also saying “yes” when appropriate which increases our self-worth tremendously! Setting boundaries helps us define who we are and what we stand for which leads directly into self-love territory!
One way to set personal boundaries is to make a list of our values and priorities. We can then use this list to determine what is acceptable and what is not. For example, if we value our alone time, we can communicate to our loved ones that we need space to recharge.
Setting personal boundaries is an essential aspect of self-love. Boundaries help us define our limits and protect our emotional and mental well-being. It is crucial to communicate our boundaries clearly and assertively.
There is a distraction tip you may have heard of if you are having trouble enforcing your boundaries. It’s called Pass The Bean dip and seems to have started in home-schooling circles. When someone asks you a personal question or about a subject you don’t wish to engage in you ask them to “pass the bean dip”. Of course you don’t actually have to say “pass the bean dip” but it means you redirect the topic by in effect asking for the recipe.
If someone keeps asking personal questions, you can deflect and respond by asking the question right back. (yes I am wicked)
Journaling for Self-Discovery
Journaling is a great way to explore our thoughts and feelings. By putting our thoughts on paper, we can gain insight into our emotions and patterns of behavior. We can also identify triggers that may be causing us stress or anxiety.
To get started, set aside some time each day to write in a journal. You can write about anything that comes to mind, or you can use prompts to guide your writing. Some prompts can include:
- What am I grateful for today?
- What are my goals for the future?
- What are some challenges I am facing, and how can I overcome them?
- Write yourself a love letter.
If you get completely stuck or overwhelmed by the thought of journaling. take a look at this YouTube video by Struthless. The Journaling System that changed my life.
Positive Affirmations
Positive affirmations are statements we repeat to ourselves to promote positive thinking and self-esteem. By focusing on positive thoughts, we can shift our mindset and improve our overall well-being.
To practice positive affirmations, choose a few statements that resonate with you and repeat them to yourself throughout the day. Some examples of positive affirmations include:
- I am worthy of love and happiness.
- I am capable of achieving my goals.
- I am strong and resilient.
Pursue Your Passions
Another way to love yourself is by pursuing your passions. Whether it’s a hobby or a career goal, making and taking the time to work on something you love can boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Make a list of the things you’re passionate about and set aside some time to work on them. This could be anything from painting, writing, or learning a new language. Not only will this help you feel more fulfilled, but it can also help you discover new things about yourself.
Remember, self-love is not selfish, it’s necessary. By spending time with our loved ones and pursuing our passions, we can strengthen our relationships and boost our self-esteem.
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Celebrate Your Uniqueness
Valentine’s Day is a great time to reflect on and celebrate our uniqueness. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others, but the truth is that we are all unique individuals with our own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some ways to celebrate our uniqueness this Valentine’s Day.
Reflect on Your Achievements
Take some time to reflect on your achievements and accomplishments. Think about the things that you are proud of and the goals that you have achieved. Write them down in a journal or create a list on your phone or computer. Reflecting on our achievements can help us feel more confident and positive about ourselves.
Reflection helps us gain clarity on our thoughts and feelings while also giving us the opportunity to look at things from a different perspective. Taking time each day (or at least once a week) to reflect on your experiences can really deepen your understanding of who you are and why certain events happen in our lives. Reflection allows us to learn from our mistakes so we can make even better decisions in the future!
Embrace Your Individuality
Embrace your individuality and celebrate the things that make you unique. Maybe you have a quirky sense of humor, a talent for painting, or a love for a particular type of music. Whatever it is, embrace it and celebrate it. You can also use this Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to try something new or explore a new hobby. Embracing our individuality can help us feel more comfortable and confident in our own skin.
Remember, we are all unique individuals with our own strengths and weaknesses. Celebrating our uniqueness can help us feel more confident, positive, and happy. So this Valentine’s Day, take some time to reflect on your achievements and embrace your individuality.
