Our worries travel with us. We spend far too much of our precious time worrying about our troubles, then we worry even more because we have managed to get ourselves into a worried state. So we are now worrying not only because of our troubles, we are worrying because we are worried, then somehow we find ourselves somewhere on Stress Street, we don't exactly know where because we are too busy worrying. Sound familiar?
Why do we give our worries so much attention? Most of our worries do not even come to fruition; and what if our troubles, our worries were to rear their ugly heads? we often do not realise we have the innate ability to handle situations we think we are unable to deal with, we just have to dig a little deeper from within. Carrying around a rucksack of worries weighs you down and changes the authentic you and often not for the better.
So how do we lighten the load and love ourselves? here's a few pointers:
Learn to accept yourself for who you are, know the good and the bad points about you, who said we are all meant to be perfect? This acceptance of self must be unconditional.
Once you are truly aware of your good points and you have been completely honest about the bad points, I mean really honest, dwell on the good offerings. Life is about learning, we can all learn from the bad choices we have made, we must leave room to forgive ourselves for past mistakes. Past mistakes or bad choices should not weigh us down or dictate how we choose to live our lives going forward.
Do not put your future plans in jeopardy by taking on board negative criticism from anyone. Destructive criticism harms future plans and will set you up to fail. Be an honest judge of your character, find out about the real you by inviting constructive feedback from genuine people.
Lighten your load, stock up on good things about you such as your achievements, your accomplishments, your looks, your personality, what do you love about you? Surround yourself with people who make you think and feel 'good' about who you are, people who are sincere, people you can talk to, people who know you well and accept you for being you.
Bin your troubles, bin your worries, an overload of worry will not serve you well. Deal with the here and now. Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
With the load lighter you will love yourself that much more. From now on put yourself in a position where you are able to accept who you are, knowing the authentic you. Loving yourself and accepting who you are places you in a healthy position for sharing that love with others.
Over to you.