I remember a particular day in my early 30’s when I was watching TV on a summer day. It was one of those day time talk shows and the topic was “self love”. On the panel there was 5 people, 3 women, and two men that were all talking about how they loved themselves despite their vices. Three of the panelist were obese and they were talking about how they loved their lifestyle of eating whatever they wanted and whenever they wanted.
That little experience for me allowed me to peer in and see the “self-love” movement which continues to unfold today. And while there are elements of the self-love movement that I absolutely love, there are some other elements that I want to challenge today.
Self-Neglect Is NOT Self Love
I know this is a touchy subject and I want to approach this with compassion and tenderness.
When I observe people in the self-love movement that are claiming that they are “loving themselves” when they are eating themselves into oblivion or engaging in other physically and emotionally self-destructive behaviors I have to strongly dissent.
There is a big difference between self-love and self-neglect and it is easy to confuse the two by claiming that you love yourself while practicing self-neglect. Why? Because it is easy to simply claim, “I love myself just the way that I am” when that statement is offered in the tone of self-justification. Now, to be clear I am 100% pro-self love NO MATTER WHAT STATE you are in physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually, but that still does not excuse self-neglect.
True Self-Love Is Self Care
When it comes right down to it, self-care be it in the form of exercise, nutrition, getting proper sleep and attending to your spiritual needs IS SELF LOVE! When you take time out of your busy day to exercise that is self-love. When you take time to prepare healthy food for the week that is self-love. When you prioritize your sleep and take time for your spiritual practice, that is self-love.
If we are being honest with ourselves we live in a culture that makes it very easy to justify our lack of self-care. We are too “busy” to take care of ourselves and when we pull the “no time card” nobody calls us on it and we will likely get a false sense of security by others saying things like, “I totally understand, I don’t have the time either!”
Will You Give Yourself The Gift of Self-Love?
Self-love is more than just a feeling despite the popular definition that society promotes. Self-love is ACTION!
I would invited you to take the action necessary to incorporate more self love into your life. Show and prove to yourself how you are worth it and worthy of TRUE self love. That extra hour out of your day for true self care will be a testament of true self love to yourself!
P.S. If you would like help in changing your lifestyle so that you can include some real self love we can help! We offer a free consultation in which we will assess your lifestyle and show you a plan of health and wellness that will lead to long-term change.
Learn more here: https://www.llfit.com/consultations/