“Self love starts and ends with the dialogue we have with ourselves” – Kathryn Eisman
When was the last time you had a positive conversation with yourself? More often than not it’s easier to identify the flaws within yourself than to point out the things you’re proud of. We tend to cash out our weekly positivity faster than our own paychecks, leaving our self-love savings account empty, again. Embracing who you are and the unique traits that set you apart is a routine we could all stand to put into practice.
Loving yourself first can be easier than you think by incorporating these simple habits into your every day routine.
Turn your negative thoughts into positive ones
Believe it or not, everyone has insecurities, and to start your self-love journey off right, it’s important to get ahead of these before they spiral. Instead of illuminating your flaws with negativity, try placing them under a positive light. The things we may not like most about ourselves are often times features that set us apart and make us who we are. For every negative thought that pops up throughout your day, write it down and transform it into something that’s uplifting for you! For example, the thought of being vulnerable is typically tied to a negative feeling about yourself or used as a weakness. Instead of seeing vulnerability as something that holds you back, recognize that being vulnerable is a trait some people are still trying to master. Wearing your heart on your sleeve through vulnerability can actually allow you to develop more meaningful relationships than most. Use this tactic to cultivate a mindset of empowerment, a mindset that builds internal confidence. At the end of the day, knowing your self worth and owning it is what’s most important!
Wear clothes that make you feel confident
In order to feel confident or feel your best, first, you have to make sure you’re comfortable in your own skin. Though it may not seem meaningful when you’re rolling out of bed, determining the right outfit to wear throughout your day is something that can make more of an impact than you think. The clothing choices you make can have a significant influence on how comfortable you’re going to feel everyday. The more comfortable you are, the more confidence you’ll have. Your undergarments are a perfect place to start. Wearing a bra that can bend with you throughout the day can impact both your comfort and your confidence. A complement worthy outfit without a comfortable bra has the power to make or break how you feel. Really the point is: don’t be afraid to splurge on something that makes you both comfortable and happy!
Practice positive affirmations
When we don’t want to forget something important, we set reminders for ourselves, right? The whole reason sticky notes exist is because people are forgetful! Just like we need to be reminded to water our plants or to pick up the dry cleaning, we need to affirm and remind ourselves that we are in fact, awesome. Though this may seem silly in the moment, the practice of affirming yourself can go a long way. Remind yourself of the things that make you, you. Cherish what sets you apart and encourage those around you to do the same. The more you practice and recite affirmations, the more you’ll remember them on your journey to self love. Some encouraging and affirming slogans from BYOU, that can be found on our apparel include: Love yourself first, flawed and fabulous, and queen of being me. These simple sayings along with the abandonment of negative thoughts can truly help you embrace yourself and all that makes you unique.
Beginning to love yourself more will not only expand your positivity, but also your confidence. Being confident in who you are is something that will shock those around you in the best possible way. Confidence can breed motivation, kindness, and over-all personal happiness. The next time you find yourself identifying something you don’t love about yourself, use that something to empower your individuality. After all, when was the last time you saw someone fabulous without flaws?
