Wild Journey of Self-Love (Part 2)

These words flow on beautifully from the previous post about a topic that is near and dear to my heart: Self-Love. Welcoming and allowing self-love can feel like a radical act, yet it will also be one of the most rewarding journeys you embark on. 

As I shared in Part 1 - self-love is a foreign concept for so many of us, a journey into unknown realms. Acknowledging that loving yourself is difficult/challenging/tough (insert the word that resonates for YOU) is the first step toward change. It is about being honest, and I mean really honest with yourself and understanding that this journey requires patience and perseverance.

This 2 questions I am about to share with you may feel uncomfortable or even heart-wrenching, I know they did for me the first time I took time to contemplate the following journal prompts. How can you expect love from others before you choose to love yourself? Are you ready to be the loving embrace of self-love you deserve and desire?

“Self-love requires you to be honest about your current choices and thought patterns and undertake new practices that reflect self-worth.”  Caroline Kirk

Like any wild journey, the path to self-love is filled with obstacles. These obstacles can take many forms — negative self-talk, past traumas, societal pressures or unrealistic expectations. Each of these challenges will require you to dig deep, confront your fears and move forward with courage. During these challenging moments you will grow the most, learning to navigate the rough terrain and turbulence that may surface with adaptability and grace.

“Self-love is not just a concept but a daily practice of acceptance + growth. It’s been a journey of understanding. Giving myself the time to adjust, adapt + absorb experiences. Letting go of things out of my control + focusing + nurturing what I can + allowing myself time to do so”

Jemma the enchantress behind the camera lens at @jemmadarlingcreates who has captured many moments of self-love for herself and many others

Self-love is about reconnecting with your inherent worth and treating yourself with the same kindness and compassion you offer so openly to others. It means accepting your imperfections, celebrating your strengths and knowing that you are enough exactly as you are in this present moment. Each time you choose self-love, you are cultivating a deep and unconditional love for who you are.

Self-love is the practice of valuing, caring for and loving yourself. When we love ourselves, we are encouraged to pursue our passions, dreams and goals free from fear of judgment or failure. This shift to a growth mindset enables us to continually learn, love and evolve.

"The path to self-love for me was to learn to connect to my inner child and to feel into the immense grief of what she never got growing up. To feel into the trauma of not feeling loved and wanted was difficult but also so cathartic. Going to my inner child and giving her everything that she never got, helped me to tap into my self-worth and self-love. It enabled me to fully accept myself, to tap into my authentic self and set boundaries and standards for how I want and expect to be treated. My coming home to my inner child, I finally found 💓  

Sharnie, Psychosomatic Therapist and leading lady of Conscious Flow Counsel

Keep reading to be introduced to practices and rituals to invite in more self-love with some wild tips to support you with each of these practices..

Self-compassion is the act of being kind and understanding to yourself, especially during times of loss or difficulty. It involves recognising that everyone makes mistakes and that imperfections are a natural part of being human.

Wild Tip: When you make a mistake, avoid harsh self-criticism. Choose to speak to yourself with the same kindness and compassion you would offer a friend.

Self-care is an essential aspect of self-love. It involves taking intentional actions to nurture your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Self-care can include anything from getting enough sleep, eating nourishing foods, exercising, meditating, or simply taking time to relax and unwind.

Wild Tip: Create a self-care routine that includes activities you love. Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your daily life, ensuring you take time to recharge and nurture yourself.

Setting boundaries is an essential element of self-love. It involves mastering your time, energy and well-being by saying no to things that do not serve you or align with your values. Boundaries help to create a healthy balance between giving to others and taking care of yourself.

Wild Tip: Reflect on areas of your life where you need to set boundaries. Clearly and confidently communicate your needs and remember that it is always okay to prioritise your needs and desires.

Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Appreciating your achievements helps to build confidence and reinforce self-worth.

Wild Tip: Keep a journal where you record your achievements and milestones, no matter how big or small - remember some of the smallest steps and choices can have the biggest impact on your life and the lives of those who surround you. Reflect on your progress regularly and celebrate your growth.

Surround yourself with uplifting Energy. Having a support system is invaluable on this journey of self-life. Soul sisters, friends or mentors who understand and support your path can make a significant difference. Seek out relationships that uplift and inspire you, and distance yourself from those that drain your energy or even undermine your self-worth. 

Wild Tip: Make a list of the people and activities that bring joy & love into your life. Prioritise spending time with those who support and encourage your journey of self-love. It’s in these connections that we find additional sources of love and support.

Spend time in nature. Go for a walk in a park, on the beach or in a sanctuary surrounded by trees. Feel the connection to the earth beneath your feet and the natural world around you. 

Wild Tip: Being in nature provides time to reflect on the beauty you are surrounded by and your own natural beauty and wild spirit

Affirmations arena powerful tool to build and nurture self-love. When repeated affirmations have the ability to transform your mindset and reinforce your sense of self-worth.  Affirmations can support healing emotional wounds by replacing self-criticism with self-compassion.

Here are some powerful affirmations to help you nurture self-love. Repeat these daily, either out loud or silently. While saying these words you may choose to place your hands over your heart. Allow the positive energy and loving power of these words infuse your being. 

I am worthy of love and respect as I bring kindness and compassion into the world.

I embrace and celebrate my uniqueness.

I deserve happiness, joy and love.

I am proud of all that I have accomplished.

I trust in my ability to navigate obstacles that arise in life.

I am grateful for my body and all it does for me.

I am deserving of love, kindness, and respect from myself and others.

Wild Tip: Reflect on areas where you feel you need more love, trust, confidence or positivity. Affirm your worth daily and believe in your capacity to love yourself fully. 

Evening Reflection to clear your mind and connect with your heart. Before bed, take a few minutes to reflect on your day. Acknowledge your efforts and successes, no matter how small. 

Wild Tip: During each moment of reflection remind yourself that you are worthy of love and kindness.

Be patient with yourself and allow these practices to evolve over time.

Self-love is a lifelong journey, a continuous process of growth and self-discovery. There will be moments of doubt and difficulty, but there will also be moments of profound love and acceptance. Embracing this journey with an open heart and your wild spirit will allow you to experience the full spectrum of self-love

The wild journey of self-love is one that I am totally here for, a path worth taking. A journey of acknowledging challenges, navigating obstacles, embracing vulnerability, celebrating achievements and seeking support. Loving yourself can be confronting, it can be difficult, it can be invigorating, it can be beautiful. Loving yourself is one of the most meaningful adventures to embark on.

After years and years of prioritising others, it feels so liberating and empowering to choose to love myself in ways that seemed and felt unimaginable not so long ago. You also get to choose you, even if it means being misunderstood or even judged by others. Self-love is a non-negotiable for me. Not only is it a requirement I keep for myself but for all those I choose to surround myself with.

Loving myself is a consistent action, it does get easier with time, you will soon learn this on your journey with self-love. When you realise your worth & value, you will begin to treat yourself from a place of love and respect; speaking, thinking and moving in kinder and more loving ways. You will attract people who love, respect and appreciate your energy and loving ways. 

“Self-love for me is many things, however when I really tap in, I have found one of my hardest challenges has been to be fully myself in this world, I have worn many masks and been different versions, self-love to me Is loving all of that, all the versions all the masks. Also giving yourself the love that you so desperately seek from the outside world is one of the best ways to feeling whole, that means not just looking after yourself physically but tending to the emotional, and spiritual parts of yourself and only then can we tap into unconditional love for ourselves which breathes out into out external world.”  Tash, the devoted soul behind @inspiredwithtash  

By internally practicing self-compassion, prioritising self-care, setting healthy boundaries, celebrating your achievements and surrounding yourself with uplifting energy, you can and will develop a deep and unconditional love for yourself. 

Embrace the wild journey with all its twists and turns.

You are worthy of love and respect exactly as you are.

Remember to love yourself first. Free from judgement, expectation or conditions because love is incomplete without self-love.

Be patient and gentle with yourself as you cultivate and connect with this practice.

Celebrate your progress and continue to reaffirm your worth daily.

Thank you for joining me on this wild journey of self-love.

Stay wild, stay well and love yourself fiercely,

Hannah

**To dive deeper into self-love, learn practical tools for cultivating it join the Wild Woman Gateway. During your time within this one-of-a-kind online wisdom filled portal you will learn how self-communication is key to staying in tune with yourself and finding that loving place within. You will discover and learn how to walk hand-in-hand with the inner lover within you throughout your life, who will constantly romance you, especially in the moments when life gets hard.