The gift of self-love

This time of year can be difficult – especially for people with eating issues.  Add to that family issues and money issues and there is a LOT of issues.  So what do I, a dietitian of 30 years, recommend in this situation: low-calorie dip, extra vegetables? No, what I do recommend this time of year is lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of self-love.
 
I think I feel you rolling your eyes at me.  How can we do self-love now?  And what the heck is self-love anyway.  I don’t have time to join a chanting hippy group traveling the southwest.  I don’t know how to meditate or have time for a weekend away with friends. 
 
Well, I have good news for you.  Self-love can be done instantaneously and with no money expenditure and doesn’t require other people.  It can be done this very moment, in fact.  I want you to ask yourself – right now what can I do that would make me more comfortable? For instance, right now, when you are reading this article stop and ask yourself– am I comfortable where I am right now or do I need to do something to make myself more comfortable.  Do I need to maybe move to sit in a different area – or do I need a sweater since I am a bit cold, or do I need to turn the light a bit since it is shining in my face, etc.  Just check in with you.  Are you ok?  Do you need something?  My conscious dance teacher demonstrated this idea well when she did a simple practice.  She asked us to pick a spot on the floor to stand.  Once everyone got there we were to ask ourselves – is this really ok for me or do I still want to move again?  We continued this process until we found a spot on the floor we were really good with. I loved it.  It was such a simple way to demonstrate how simple it can be to start to listen to yourself and then give yourself what you need.
 
However, when you think of what you need - it does need to just include things that YOU can do.  Don’t say I want so and so to bring me something or buy me something.  Think in terms of you.  You are going to do for you. 
 
And do this a lot!! Do this as often as you can think of during the day.  By doing this you are giving yourself many little gifts of self-love all day long.  It feels empowering.  It feels awesome.
 
This time of year can be hard for me.  A long time ago I lost my mother just before Christmas and it still hurts to this day.  But since I am aware of this self love thing I do my very best to keep asking myself what I can do to make this moment just a bit better for myself.  Sometimes I am good and there is no change necessary but often I am able to adjust things just a bit to make things better – for me.  I give myself a gift of self-love.
 
I think right now I want to put on some comfy slippers- my feet feel a bit tired from the day.