In the last 6 years, working with clients for a number of issues from quit smoking, anxiety, weight-loss and others, I have found there is an underlying issue, a thread of commonality in all and that is self-love or the lack thereof. This one tiny thing isn’t so tiny at all. It is the foundation to creating lasting change in many if not all areas of our lives.
Let me ask you, do you really love yourself? If I asked you that, you might quickly answer, “of course I do” But do you really? Do you treat yourself and talk to yourself with love and respect?
My upbringing
I was born into a family with English and German heritage. My home life, love was rarely shown and acceptance was quickly removed when I wasn’t behaving according to my parent’s standard. I learned quickly to keep my awareness on what others thought of me. To not upset the applecart, so to speak, because, then they would not love me anymore or so I feared. This insecurity was easily carried over to all my relationships and my boundaries became pretty thin.
I was afraid to say no. I was always thinking, What if I said no? Would they still like me? What if my opinion up set them, what would they tell others about me. Would my Mom still love me? So I grew up learning that my self-love was second or even last to others.
Self-Love is the foundation to accepting yourself, respecting yourself and taking responsibility for yourself
In my work with clients I began to recognize the power of self love to create lasting change and I began working with my clients to increase their self-love. At the Hypno-Thoughts Live 2021 Conference, I attended Martin Caster post conference, 3 day practitioner certification training for Addiction Behavioral Modification. one of the techniques is developing self love. This ‘self love exercise’ was powerful for me for two reasons: One, my own observation of the importance of self love was confirmed and validated and second, Martin created a very effective way to connect and reinforce self-love, respect and responsibility. When we practiced the technique on each other, it had a profound and life changing effect on me. I no longer look at food the same anymore, which was my intention during the exercise, and it made changes in many ways throughout my daily life.
Are you ready for a quick exercise? Ok! Here is the quick exercise:
Close your eyes and take a deep relaxing breath and let your whole body relax. Now imagine, picture or pretend that you are looking at yourself in the mirror as you are getting ready for the day. Look yourself in the eye in the mirror and say I Love Myself. I love myself…….
Now take a deep breath in and open your eyes
How did you do? Did you find it uncomfortable? Yes? I did as well. It is much more comfortable now than before the conference. Self love is connected in so many ways in our lives. Our appearance to others is huge, isn’t it? When we see our bodies in the mirror, is our thoughts loving or hateful? Mine used to be hateful.
Many believe, as I did, that hating our bodies would be motivational to improve their body image. Wrong!!!
If you do not like yourself then you have no respect for yourself and will continue to regularly disrespect yourself with wrong foods and life choices.
Who can relate to these thoughts: I don’t like me so who cares. I want it now because it will make me feel better. And on and on and on
Actually, when we love our selves, we will experience that self-love leads to self-acceptance and self-respect. When you are in this state of self love and self respect, you will find yourself saying, “I love myself where I am now and I take responsibility to change it moving forward!” Now that is power to change, wouldn’t you agree?
No longer seeking the approval of others
WOW when you love and respect yourself in your own uniqueness and value, it has power. You can find the courage to stand firm with yourself and say This is who I am, love me or move on! Imagine the power in that!
We talked about boundaries and saying NO. Self-love is huge here.
Imagine how strong your boundaries are now.
The power in self-love and respect could be referred to as a super power couldn’t?
When you have self-love and respect, you have the power to take action for yourself and build stronger boundaries. I wonder what other super powers will begin to emerge.
Perhaps: Open, caring and honest communication with others would come forward or how about putting you first or this one, Self Forgiveness. Let us have that superpower as well. It is okay to forgive yourself from the past, present and the future. We are going to make mistakes. That is the path to growth. It happens; so let it go.
Are there’s more? I wonder how many other super powers you will you find when you begin to love yourself for who you are.
Super Powers I want some!
Self-love, self-respect, superpowers, I want them all! How do I get some of that? One way is to see me for a session and there are lots of other ways to build self love into your daily routine.
Take a walk anywhere or in your favorite nature spot. Take that nap you need. Treat yourself to healthy foods and snacks. Drink plenty of water
Meditate, yoga, mindfulness, journaling, arts or crafts and practice gratitude.
Allow yourself to be you – Respect & love your uniqueness
Want to experience a personal Self Love Journey? I created an audio recording that will release your self love blockages and empower your love for yourself. As a special gift attached to this blog, use the link below and receive $10 dollars off the regular audio price. The audios normally sell for $25 dollars but you can have it for $15. click the link below for the audio and use the discount code SLJ-10-off at check out to receive your discount.
For a personalized Self-Love Journey experience, contact me for a self love hypnosis session. Call or text me at (805) 242-1649 or use the CONTACT ME form below
Art Kuhns Certified Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master/Teacher
Art is a certified hypnotherapist and Reiki master teacher. He received his hypnotherapy certification from Hypnosis Motivation Institute.
Art’s passion is to empower others to find and unlock their own healer and personal power. Once this power is unleashed, a life of intention and balance in mind /body/spirit can unfold. He uses Reiki infused hypnosis during his session work to enable clients to connect intuitively and heal holistically.
He holds additional certifications in PTSD, Smoking Cessation, Inner Child Healing, Addition & Behavior Modification and Spiritual Hypnosis.
