inspired writing Tuesday--ways we can love ourselves

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! Once again, I'm talking about something here today that I was inspired to share based on a book I'm reading. Have you read Midlife Battle Cry by Dawn Barton? The subtitle is: Redefining the Second Half. 

Here's her Instagram account if you're interested; she's about to release another book soon.

This is a great book! I loved this one particular chapter that inspired today's post, one titled "The I Love Me Challenge". She uses this challenge every year on Valentine's day, so it's fitting to be talking about that this week. Before I start, I have always struggled with the thought or act of "self care" or "self love"...but then I got divorced. While I definitely think we should not focus too much on ourselves, I do think that if we don't love or care for our own selves, than nobody will. Nobody knows what we need like we do, right? So keep this in mind as you read. She challenges to read the prompts and think about them as you move about your day. Here are the prompts to think about: 

• What colors make you happy?
• What music stirs your soul and makes you feel alive as you listen?
• What  fragrance makes you stop, close your eyes, and breathe it in?
• What is a favorite spot, whether in your home or out in town (a coffee shop, bookstore, etc.)
• What songs make you want to dance?
• What is your favorite facial feature?
• What is your favorite feature on your body? We should thank God for the bodies He gave us.
• What books take you away?
• What is your favorite or best time of day?
• Who needs to hear that you're thinking of them?
• How can you up your hair and makeup regimen today?
• What would an ideal day look like to you?
• Think about purchasing new under things.
• What is your favorite way to move your body?
• What's your go to outfit to make you feel fabulous?
• Who fills your cup?
• What's your favorite meal?
• Where would you like to travel?
• Do you know what makes you feel loved?
• What are your gift? (Consider searching spiritual gifts for this one.) 

Here are a few of my answers to these:

Color makes me happy! I used to love to have color painted on my walls at home, but not anymore. I love for everything to be neutral, as far as paint, and then I add pops of color around my house.

I love to dress in color as well! Once January comes, I'm ready to be bright and colorful everyday that I can. 

I don't dress to impress others; it's taken me 49 years to get to the point of having my own, unique style, and I love it so much. I dress in things that I feel confident in; one reason I wear leggings a lot is because I love my legs and consider them my best body feature. I also dress for comfort while also wanting to look put together and cute. I wear jewelry all the time, I always have on at least a little bit of makeup, and I consider shoes part of the package. I usually reach for platform sandals in the summer or sneakers when it's cold.

Regarding fragrance, do you have one that you love or that's a 'signature' scent? 

I have two signature scents: one smells like summer and gets worn in the warmer months; the other is vanilla/sandalwood/pistachio based and gets worn in the fall and winter. I have one expensive perfume, and it's the small bottle above with the gold filigree on the front, by Dolce & Gabbana. Sometimes when I don't want to wear perfume, I'll wear the hair perfume by Kitsch. I love this stuff, and get complimented on it a lot. I also get complimented on the other perfumes I mentioned; the STTS ones pictured above are from Amazon and are very inexpensive but yummy smelling. Here's a link.

The things I talked about today are things that make me happy, making them ways I can love myself. I think this is something that's important for all of us...especially as our lives change with age and an empty nest.

Of the questions listed above, how do you love yourself using those prompts? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends! Love to all. 

Jenn