If the title of this post sounds familiar, it’s a Whitney Houston song  (one of my faves).  It’s a very uplifting song to just be yourself and love yourself for who you are.  No one can love you as much as you love yourself but I think it’s something that many of us struggle with, myself included.  When we’re not happy with ourselves we try to seek approval from the outside world whether that’s from your significant other/spouse or friend rather than looking inside and figuring out what’s wrong.  So did you listen to the song yet?  If you didn’t I highly recommend it. I really like the lyrics below from the song:

 

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadows

If I fail, if I succeed

At least I’ll live as I believe

No matter what they take from me

They can’t take away my dignity

……

Learning to love yourself

It is the greatest love of all

 

I recently read an article that said the longest relationship you’ll ever have in your life is the one with yourself.  Romantic relationships will end, friends will come and go, people will pass but you’re with yourself always.  I think I’ve been struggling with this lately and over the past year because there’s been a lot of change in my life, both good and bad.  With the change, a feeling of loneliness has set in.

It’s the been the year of engagements as 5 of my friends proposed to their gfs with another on the way.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited and happy for them but can’t help but wonder if that’s ever going to happen to me.  Here’s a list of 5 things I’m focusing on when I start to feel the ‘greatest love of all’ slipping away:

1. Write down your negative thoughts/feelings

I’ve found that since starting this blog, I’m a lot more at ease with myself as it’s provided me with an outlet to be myself without judgment.  If there’s something bothering you, try to write it down on a piece of paper and then throw that piece of paper away.  The key here is once you throw it away, it’s gone…don’t think about it anymore.

2. Get active

Every year I make a promise to myself that once Thanksgiving is over, I put my physical well being/fitness at or near the top of my priority list.  Holiday weight gain is definitely a thing, a thing that I don’t want to happen to me.  Making exercise a priority now will make your New Year’s resolution to lose weight and/or get in shape a lot easier.

3. Give back

Give your time, money, energy to something or someone that can’t repay you.  Just imagine if everyone in the world gave something whether that was his/her time, money or knowledge without any expectation of getting anything in return.  This could be as small as saying hi to a stranger, smiling at someone just because or paying for someone’s morning coffee.  It would definitely help people feel more connected and less lonely in this world.

4. Just be present

Live in the moment!  Don’t try to change the past and don’t worry about the future.  This is probably the thing I need to work on the most.  It’s a constant struggle to let go of the past and not let it interfere with my present and future.  Just know that things will work out, in the end, is something I try to live by but is definitely easier said than done.

5. Put yourself first

Putting yourself first might sound selfish but I think putting yourself first is the most unselfish thing you can do for yourself and others.  Just think about it for a second, if you put yourself first, you are taking care of your needs so you’re able to give others what they need/want.  Only you know what you want and if you’re able to take care of it, it opens yourself up to give everyone else your best, 100% effort and attention.

QOTP: “This year taught me that my loneliness has more to do with myself than anyone else.  The loneliest I will ever be is when I do not have the strength to love myself.” -unknown