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Saturday, February 1, 2020

Creative Ideas to Help Us Open Our Hearts to Self-love



Colors, Kindness, Self-care




For those of us who strive to excel in our careers and/or ace relationships, we may drive ourselves too hard, and feel depleted. Then, If we don't reach our goals, we focus on how bad we messed up, and get down on ourselves. 

Updated 7/27/2023

Putting undue pressure on ourselves makes us feel frustrated, cranky, and sets off negative self-talk that can get loud and insulting. This doesn't have to happen. 

Compassion, Care, Colors for Self-love


Holding on to unrealistic expectations of ourselves is destructive to our self-esteem.
  
If you can relate, know that the self-care tips I share below have helped me in innumerable ways. 

Try them on for size, and let me know in the comments section under this post how it went.

Each helps reverse a self-defeating attitude, lightens things up, and opens our hearts to self-love.

But first, ask yourself the following:

Do I think self-love is a selfish characteristic? 

Read the wise words of Andrea Brandt PhD, MFT, who was a therapist in private practice in CA. Her insights about self-love are right on. The quote below is shared with her permission.

“Self-love means having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness. Self-love means taking care of your own needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others. 
Self-love means not settling for less than you deserve.”

She continues, "Self-love means giving 

yourself what your body, brain, and soul 

needs for the marathon that is life. 

It isn’t hedonism and it isn’t chasing a 

physical or emotional high. The practice of 

self-love is the practice of nourishing 

yourself."


💖

Since February is often thought of as the LOVE month, this post features tips and reminders to help us navigate and celebrate our love relationship with ourselves.

Now on to


Creative Ideas to Help Us Open Our Hearts to Self-Love!


Harness Color Energy. 💖

When we are mindful of the colors we choose to look at, wear, or surround ourselves with, we can absorb their color energy for our good. 

Colors bypass thinking and interact with us at the cellular level.  Envisioning certain colors is an easy way to convert negative thoughts to positive ones, balance or inspire passion, and influence us to act kinder and more compassionately with ourselves. 

Most of us are aware that Valentine colors are usually RED, PINK, and WHITE. There are several reasons this is so.

RED is the color of heart health, passion, excitement, enthusiasm, love, courage, fire, and Valentine's Day. 

Red speeds up metabolism and energizes us. Women may enjoy accessorizing with bright red shoes and purse, and men can don a red cap or tie to get pep and pizazz with red.

Here's what I mean. Debbie Ross from Debbie Styles Life shows us Subtle Ways to Incorporate Valentine Colors into Wardrobes.




PINK is a nurturing, supportive color, one that instinctively reminds us of warm feelings, unconditional love, and gentleness. 

Pink is red and white combined. This mix provides a helpful balance of male and female energies. Pink can reduce stress and exudes a gentle healing energy. 

We can use this sweet color to nurture ourselves, calm us, and decrease loneliness. More about the color pink in Ways to Use Colors to Improve Work Life Balance.

Perhaps WHITE resonates with us. It is an empowering color, one we can use to visualize white light around us. 

Its energy is cleansing, healing, protecting, and raises consciousness by helping support a spiritual connection.


Envision white for a sense of security, or buy white roses to represent self-love that is pure and steadfast.

When we wear white or lounge on white pillows or a blanket, think devotion.

We can use a white crystal called selenite in our homes or hold a selenite wand in front of our bodies. White has many rejuvenating and mystical properties.



Be Good to Ourselves. 💖


Wholesome self-care includes eating meals that consist of nourishing whole food, and getting regular exercise. 

It includes pursuing interests and work that makes us feel enthusiastic about life, getting adequate rest and sleep, and making time for people and things we love. 

Many of us find that contributing to a greater good, and creating a place of stillness inside ourselves (with prayer, meditation, yoga, or other healing practices) are lifestyle choices that help nurture us.

Each self-care practice prepares us to be more flexible and resilient, especially in adverse conditions and a sometimes harsh world. 

Look in the mirror each day and affirm  I love my mind, body, and spirit exactly as it is.

Make a list of your strong points/assets and shortcomings/ vulnerabilities. Accept them all just for today.


Note personality traits with lovingkindness. These characteristics have gotten you this far and deserve a thank you.

Ponder this “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself. When you are born a lotus flower, be a beautiful lotus flower, don't try to be a magnolia flower. If you crave acceptance and recognition and try to change yourself to fit what other people want you to be, you will suffer all your life. True happiness and true power lie in understanding yourself, accepting yourself, having confidence in yourself.” Thich Nhat Hanh, The Art of Power


If your self-confidence level is low, be proactive and do things to help change your beliefs about self-worth. 


Be willing to increase skills by enrolling in courses, apprenticing, and trying out new things. 

It's never too late to increase knowledge about topics you know little about, and it's an excellent way to find new passions. 

Make it a priority to cherish yourself. Admit and affirm everyone has qualities that make them unique and special. 

Remember we are all part of the human race, 
and are ALL GOOD ENOUGH. 

A word of caution. Maintain personal values, 
ethics, and morals. Refrain from people 
pleasing to get ahead or be "liked." We need 
to get validation by being honest, honoring 
our truths, and loving ourselves. Being true 
to ourselves is the best policy for self-love 
and life satisfaction. 

When we need motivation to be more self-compassionate, say affirmations, get support from people who recognize our goodness. and hang out with people who bring out the best in us. 


If it seems as though we don't like who we are, imagine we are a beloved child, grandchild, or dear friend. How would we treat them? Then just treat ourselves that way. 


Take a moment to applaud and appreciate even the smallest forward motion. 


Use additional moments scattered 
throughout the day to observe whether you 
are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. These are 
times to HALT.


Self-care is Key


Forgive yourself for past mistakes. Learn from slips-ups and use them as stepping stones for personal growth. 

Journal to open your heart more fully to self-love. Write, draw, or color in a journal to discover simple ways to take tender loving care of yourself. 💓


Thank you for the visit. Wishing friends, family, and blog readers a wonderful February. Before you go, please comment below. 

If you like what you see, please re-share on social media and provide a link back to this post.

Here are some possible things to comment about:

What ideas do you like or use to improve self-care?

Where do you still need work?

Do you know low self-esteem is a learned habit and can be unlearned? What do you think about that?

What steps have you taken to help improve your opinion of yourself?

No links in comments please, as they won't be published that way.
Creative Ideas to Help Us Open Our Hearts to Self-love
This post was written for information and entertainment purposes only. If you need or want medical or psychological advice, consult with a professional provider.


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20 comments:

  1. Interesting post. I pinned this! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 10 for All Things Love and Valentine’s Day, open January 30 to February 10.

    My Unlimited Monthly party 9 is open February 1 to 26 if you’d like to link up for more views and shares.

    Won’t you join me at my Short Story Prompt party February 2 to 9 for fun and creativity? Just start typing, see what you come up with! Remember, no story is too short! The prompt is: The sun was shining brightly but then…

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    1. Thanks Dee for the comment, visit, and support. Before I forget, wishing you a wonderful Valentine's Day. Sending lots of hugs and xxx's. Nan

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  2. Nancy, thank you for sharing creative ways we can self nurture ourselves with color and for featuring my blog pic! You are so right that color can evoke particular emotions and I so enjoy your explanations about color on this post. Blessings!

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    1. Thanks Debbie for agreeing to link up with me. Just love your blog and can't wait to see what other color combos you will wear next. Thanks for your kind comment as well. Happy Valentine's Day and sending hugs and xxx's to you!

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  3. Visiting again to say I pinned this and thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 9, open February 1 to 26.

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    1. Thanks Dee. Hugs and xxx'z. Have a wonderful week and Happy Feb.

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  4. So many self care tips resonate with me Nan. I want to cultivate feeling that I am "good enough" just as I am today. As far as color goes, I love my soft pink robe and pink jogging suit. I feel as though I'm nurturing myself when I wear them.

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  5. Sounds like you're in touch with your "emotional temperature." How insightful. Agree with you about pink. It's sublime as a color we can use to nurture ourselves. Hugs, Nan

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  6. I can be very hard on my self and am my worse critic. I like the reminder about colors you wear- I find myself more positive when I am dressed in colors that I love! I am also choosy about the colros I surround myself with. #MLSTL

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    1. Thanks Michele for the visit from #MLSTL and your comment. Yes, I agree with you about how the colors we wear helps us feel more positive. Wish this post and the other work you do on yourself encourages you to be gentle and self-compassionate. YOU so DESERVE it! We all do.

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  7. Some great tips here Nancy - I'm tending to shy away from the "self-love" concept and focus more on self-care. I think it's a kinder word and reflects more of how I want to live out the years ahead.
    Great ideas on incorporating Valentine colours into the weeks ahead - I'm a big fan of pink, so will have to dig out some of my pink accessories (just noticed my profile pic is ALL pink!)
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I've shared on my SM 😊

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    1. Thanks Leanne for your comment, visit, and shares. I'm a big fan of pink too, and often weat my pink quartz heart neclace when I need to lift my spirit. Happy Valetines Day and be well. Appreciate the #MLSTL party and thank you for hosting.

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  8. Nancy,
    What a great post right before Valentine's Day! I love quotes from Louise Hay and the one you posted is one of my favorites. Your post contains so many great self care ideas-It is always helpful to get reminders! Thanks Nancy

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    1. Thanks for the sweet comment and validation for the work I do. Have a lovely Valentine's Day and I ce;lebrate the fine work you do. Hugs, Nan

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  9. I love the idea of self-nurturing with Colour, Nancy and thank you for sharing some ideas for us to try. Sharing on Social Media and thanks for linking up at #MLSTL. Have a beautiful week.xx

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    1. Thanks Sue for hosting #MLSTL and your support. It means a lot to me. Wishing you a beautiful week as well and more power to you as you nurture yourself with color. Hugs, Nan

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  10. Hi Nancy, I'm all for wearing colour and love oranges, reds and yellows. Lots of good information here! Visiting from #mlstl

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    1. Dear Deb, So nice of you to visit Colors 4 Health and thanks for your kind comment. I love finding out your colors! Have a beautiful week.

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  11. Nancy,
    Just wanted to stop by to thank you for visiting and for taking the time to comment!! Glad that I did because I really enjoyed this post!! Having worked as a nurse for 42 years taking care of patients along with my own family, self care was something that i never had time to think about. Now that I am newly retired, it has become one of my priorities as I want to get the most out of my free time and enjoy my retirement! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!! I hope you have a great weekend!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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    1. Thanks Debbie for your your kind comment. Wishing you many nurturing moments to practice self-care, as well as good times to thrive in your retirement. Have a great weekend too.

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