Self-Love is Hard but Liberating!
“My dear soul, I will steal the moon for you. I will steal the sun and the whole sky for you. I will do all the impossible things so you can heal. I want you to believe that there is nothing more beautiful in this world than you, my beautiful precious soul.
Even if you are sad, you are still magnificent. You are glistening like the moon. You are spreading kindness like the sun spreads warmth. You are infinite and immortal as is the sky. You are beautiful and precious. Your worth is beyond your trauma. Believe me, you are beautiful. I pray that one day, you will shine again. But for now, please start healing yourself.
Even if it is going to take time, I will stand by you. I know that healing is not a hocus-pocus trick, so don’t rush. I will be here. Never doubt that. My dear soul, I will keep loving you and do all the impossible things, so you can see your worth, your beauty, your innate potential. I will be here, and help you heal. I love you, and love is my gift for you.” - A Promise- From Healing is a Gift by Alexandra Vasiliu
This poem may speak to many of you. We all have a soul, yet we don’t always acknowledge this, how special and unique we all are. Our soul is there to remind us of our potential, our truest self beyond all the outside chatter and negative self-talk. All the imperfections and flaws we all constantly notice and focus on holds us back, but there is also so much more to us! As humans we naturally focus on what we don’t have or what can be improved.
But what about finding the beauty in the good, the bad, and the ugly?
This is our story, whether it is a large T trauma such as abuse, a natural disaster, or a death in the family or a small t trauma as in being bullied, not making it into your dream college, or being broken up with. You are more than these small “wins or losses''. In the grand scheme of things you are the most important thing in your life. You will be with you till death. And if you don’t truly love who you are within, then what kind of life are you living?
Self-love is a complicated concept.
It is something not taught in many schools or homes. It is something that we discover and search for as we grow older and become more curious.
It is typically easy to extend love to others, but what about ourselves? Are we not worth this love, celebration, and affirmation that we constantly shower others with? The good thing is, this can be changed, but it takes time.
Self-compassion takes a great amount of strength, patience, and vulnerability. It is hard work! Just becoming aware of these maladaptive habits is a step in the right direction.
Do you ever feel whole or at peace when in nature? When staring at a full moon, listening to the crickets chirp, watching snow fall, swimming in the ocean, walking on a mountain, laying in a hammock, running on the beach, or sitting by a lake?
You are with yourself in these moments. No distractions, criticism, or judgment - just being. You have the possibility to grow into your full potential and heal by connecting often to this deeper center within yourself.
For some, this is more time in nature, meditation, journaling, or being with loved ones. Others find it by traveling, and some begin their healing journey in therapy.
Support and resources are here to help you continue to connect with your highest self more often. You can begin by saying “Your name, I love and accept you exactly as you are”. If you are feeling extra brave, you can even say this out loud in the mirror to yourself, every day.
No matter what you have experienced, you are worthy of the love and abundance the world has to offer. I can say that all day, but it’s up to YOU to hear and accept yourself as worthy and loved just by being your magnificent self.