Self-Love is NON-NEGOTIABLE if you want to find joy & happiness in life!
For most of us busy leaders, executives, business owners, mothers, [insert your profession here], the risk of feeling overwhelmed and overworked is real – and it’s not surprising considering all the demands, dilemmas and deadlines we have to expertly juggle at work and home on a daily basis – no wonder we’re on the verge of burning out!
Burnout, defined as physical and emotional exhaustion – basically takes all the joy out of life and saps away your ability to be proactive, engaged and energized in life so you can feel your best and do your best work.
Warning signs you are losing steam include:
· No longer feeling energized by working long hours
· Frustration with your inability to accomplish tasks that were once easy
· Feeling angry with yourself at not accomplishing more
· Procrastination and avoidance behaviors
· A decline in self-worth and self-esteem
· Resenting those you serve (clients, team members, family members)
· Feeling overwhelmed
While there are several root causes of burnout, we need to remember the importance of slowing down to speed up to see what is truly possible – and to do that, you must nurture yourself on a mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual level…SELF-LOVE!
For example, there are better ways of loving yourself than guzzling down a box of yummy chocolates while binge-watching Netflix.
It’s up to you to stand for yourself and embrace a practice that is energizing and non-negotiable.
At the heart of it, self-love is empowering and inspiring, so here are a few of my favorite go-to self-love practices that I personally use and I love to share with my clients…Enjoy!
1. Clear Your Calendar!
Clearing your calendar regularly and periodically is an essential strategy for recharging your energy on all levels – it is a powerful strategy that will make you feel like you are on top of the world.
If you can’t lock yourself away from the world for one day to process your life, at least block off periods of time in your schedule.
Clearing your calendar allows you to think about things that are and are not working in your life in a much more organic fashion. Taking a weekday off and hiding out in your bedroom (or, if you want to go all-out – check into a fancy hotel room) gives you time to “date yourself” and really ponder important moments you may have been ignoring.
2. Shower Yourself with Love & Kindness
Close your eyes and think of a person close to you who loves you very much. It could be someone from the past or the present. Imagine that person standing on your right side, sending you their love. That person is sending you wishes for your safety, for your well-being and happiness. Feel the warm wishes and love coming from that person towards you.
Now bring to mind another person who cherishes you deeply. Imagine that person standing on your left side, sending you wishes for your wellness, for your health and happiness. Feel the kindness and warmth coming to you from that person.
Now imagine that you are surrounded on all sides by all the people who love you and have loved you. Picture all of your friends and loved ones surrounding you. They are sending you wishes for your happiness, well-being, and health. Bask in the warm wishes and love coming from all sides. You are filled, and overflowing with warmth and love from all.
3. Walk & Talk
Set aside 20-30 minutes to take a walk outside by yourself.
Grab your phone – and open up a voice recorder app (your phone should already come with one).
Plug in your earphones, press record on your phone and start walking and talking.
As you walk, try to notice as many positive things around you. These can be sights, sounds, smells, or other sensations – and say out loud what you see and how what you see makes you feel. For example, you could focus on the breathtaking height of a tree you never really noticed before, the intricate architecture of a building on your block, the dance of sunshine bouncing off a window or puddle, the smell of grass or flowers, or the way other people look out for each other as they navigate crowded streets.
As you notice each of these positive things, acknowledge each one as you talk about what you see.
Continue this throughout your whole walk. As you walk stay alert and stay engaged – embrace the beauty of what you see and say it out loud; remember this is all about self-love and acknowledging all the beauty that surrounds you, so stay positive.
By the way, don’t worry about others thinking you crazy talking to yourself – for all they know you are having a wonderful conversation with someone else on the other end of the phone!
Reference: Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkley
About the Writer
Kafi London is a global speaker, trainer, executive leadership coach and podcast host who helps top leaders who find themselves stuck personally or professionally, regain momentum, become fulfilled, and create a better future for themselves.
Kafi is the founder of the global brand, Smart Women on Fire a training and coaching practice offering workshops and retreats to help female leaders rediscover the joy of dancing through life and feeling fulfilled as they go after their big “juicy” dreams!
Connect with Kafi:
· Website: https://smartwomenonfire.com
· Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kafilondon/
