Self Love Advice

How do you get started on the path to self love? What about if you’re struggling, what do you do then? When I think back to when I made the conscious decision to stop hating my body, it was other blogger babes and Instagrammers that inspired me to begin that journey. Over the years I’ve come across other amazing humans who continue to help me along my self love journey with their own posts. It’s been a journey, sometimes one that takes me one step forward and two steps back, because our relationship with our bodies, with ourselves, it’s not linear. There are days that we might struggle and that’s okay. I reached out to a few of my friends and asked them what advice they’d give for someone who was just starting out on their self love journey, or someone who was struggling – this is what they said.

@margotmeanie

I think Self Love can come in so many different manifestations. It can be taking a step outside of your comfort zone in a direction you’ve always seen as part of yourself, but felt intimated to go to, like going out on a limb and wearing that daring new outfit, or that bold dark lipstick. It can also be in seeing the beauty you carry doing small, seemingly mundane things, like if cooking is your jam, the way you plate a dish of food; or the way you make your friend snort when you’ve cracked a good joke. It’s about stepping outside of yourself and seeing how those around you see you and how they love you, seeing your own special kind of magic and then bringing that knowledge back inside, turning down the volume of picking apart the things you don’t like about yourself and amplifying the things that make you feel cherished and special.

Sometimes it can be hard to initiate seeing those things, which is why it’s great to seek out self love workshops, social media groups, or challenges, like my #rebelliousselflove challenge! It’s a great way to get involved with strangers that are also on a self love journey, you quite often come out finding new kindred spirits!

Follow Margot on Instagram at @margotmeanie.

@yourstruelymelly

Recognise that self love is not an achievement or a goal, but a journey. We love ourselves when we show ourselves compassion, when we question assumptions and thoughts we have about ourselves and others, when we actively listen to the wisdom of others and educate ourselves. No one’s self love journey is the same. It is adaptive. It requires us to listen to ourself. It takes time. And for some of us, our journey requires more than acceptance of ourself. In the meantime though, we can know our value and our worth. We can fight for ourselves and for our agency. Be patient, be kind, forgive yourself, those are all acts of love along this journey.

Follow Melissa on Instagram at @yourstruelymelly.

@fullerfigurefullerbust

It doesn’t matter who they are or how you know them, delete, unfollow and mute people online who make you feel shit about any aspect of your life. Don’t keep clothes or items that don’t work for you or fit you right now. Don’t use anything as a goal. Your body is good RIGHT NOW, and should things change, you can go shopping!

Follow George on Instagram at @fullerfigurefullerbust.

@misscharlottecake

I think for starters, surround yourself with as much positive energy as possible. Join Facebook groups, follow others on Instragram as well as hashtags, read self love blogs. Read and talk with others who are going on a similar path and the support will help immensely.

Follow Charlotte on Instagram at @misscharlottecake.

@curvesbecomeher

Self acceptance is multifaceted and layered. It is interesting because you will see how starting to work on it will make a difference from the get go. It is important to understand however that working towards anything takes time, conscious effort. Empower yourself through body positive literature out there – social media accounts, blogs and books – and know that it’s okay not to feel 100% on some days or weeks! It’s okay to exist within shades of grey and feel indifferent sometimes. You will find yourself sifting past the negativity and nonsense you read or hear as you grow, and come to a place of tolerance and a belief of self worth.

Follow Aarti on Instagram at @curvesbecomeher.

@bodyposipanda

I think the first and most important thing for people to realise on their way to accepting their bodies is that you never deserved to hate your body in the first place. None of this is your fault, you didn’t ask to be born into a world saturated with diet culture, fatphobia, and prejudice, and you deserve a hell of a lot better. Once you truly believe that, it’s easier to let go of the blame you’re holding towards yourself, stop fighting against your own skin and fight against the forces that are really responsible for our epidemic levels of negative body image. You did not bring this on yourself. It’s not your fault. You deserve better. 💜

Follow Megan on Instagram at @bodyposipanda.

@thisismeagankerr

My own piece of advice for anyone starting out on their self love journey, or if you are struggling, is to do consciously do something nice for yourself every single day. I still try to do this every single day, because it helps to reinforce the concept that I am worth treating well. Some days it’s going to the gym, some days it’s a face mask or a bubble bath, some days I curl up with a book or go to bed early. One thing that’s nice and just for me.

Follow me on Instagram at @thisismeagankerr.

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