some of the ways i show love to myself
and it’s not just overpriced skincare, gimmicky face masks, and affirmations from the instagram explore page (cause that’s not what self love is)
i say “damn she’s fly” or “damn she’s sexy” every time i walk past a mirror and catch my reflection
i expect to look great in every photo or video; if i don’t, i assume the problem is lighting, angles, etc, but not me
i discipline myself even when it’s hard, even when i don’t want to, and even when other people don’t think i should
i hug myself as needed
i rub my belly when i am bloated instead of shaming myself for eating too much
i no longer participate in hyper-restrictive diets or lifestyles; i put the damn sugar in my coffee. fuck that sugar-free shit.
i compliment myself frequently
i reward myself as needed
i don’t do what i don’t want to do
i do what i want to do
i wear what feels the best to me; i don’t rely on other people’s opinions
i don’t care about how much i weigh; i focus on how my mind and body feel
i have a “waiting room” for other people’s thoughts in my head so i choose which things influence me and which things i can throw away
i tell myself good morning and good night every day
if i happen to see the clock at 2:45 PM, i sing happy birthday to myself in my head
i use productivity apps to keep my life organized like notion
i write down all of my goals and achievements
i use vision boards to remind myself of what i am working towards
i don’t let people be mean to me; i speak up and defend myself, or i leave, or both
i trust myself
i make myself giggle on a daily basis
i still partake in the hobbies and interests that baby alyse loved so dearly
i roast myself as needed
i don’t let guilt or shame consume me; i feel as needed and release
i spend as much time as i need alone
i love being alone
i masturbate frequently
i follow my intuition; i don’t second guess it
i don’t participate in negative self talk or make self deprecating remarks in a serious manner; i barely even joke about it
i don’t let people tell me who i am
i trust my own judgment