We Feel Guilty, But We Shouldn’t … Screw that, Love yourself.

Another Truthfully Honest Post: The ‘right’ perspectives on life & body awareness, and loving yourself for YOU, from inside-out. 

 Love yourself for you. Make everything you do for you.
Work on yourself the right way: inside to out!

The Guilty

I am surrounded by people concerned about their health, their diet, their eating habits, which is not necessarily a negative thing, as it has taught me to want to take care of myself and of this single sacred body that I have. At the same time, I am also surrounded by people who are concerned about not only being healthy but looking a certain way. Unfortunately, I feel that this mindset has also imprinted itself in my brain in negatives ways. There is a stress that surrounds itself with eating my favorite foods and a guilt that follows. I am healthy and I am not overweight, but then why is it that I begin to feel uncomfortable if I haven’t worked out in a while or why I start to stress about eating two servings of pasta.

Yes, awareness of what goes into your body is important, but is that really the only thing on our minds? Are we sure there is not that ulterior motive where we are trying to fit into a supposed “prescribed” mold? Or do I just feel “unhealthy” in my body because I haven’t moved it the way it wants to be moved, in a couple of days? As soon as I give my body a workout or plan a few healthy meals, I find myself in a totally new and positive mindset… Then why do I let myself feel bad about what I consciously put in my body? We get caught up in all the little things, and we build the “bigger picture” around all of these small insignificant worries. Do you take care of your body? Do you eat well but also treat yourself? Do you look in the mirror and love yourself, even if you haven’t reached your goals yet? Then relax!

Balance is EVERYTHING

As I continue implementing a practice in my everyday life of moving my body in the ways that satisfy it and eating foods that fuel me and make me feel good, I also have to remind myself that I can go for the pasta and the cookies and treats, as long as it’s in moderation. As long as I keep this as my motto, I don’t find myself feeling guilty. I let that shit go. I am healthy, I feel good, I take care of my mind and my body. I eat healthy nutritious foods, but I also treat myself to sweets because they also feed my soul and sweet tooth. If you love your body and take care of yourself, then there is no reason you should be feeling guilty for what you put into your body or for giving your body rest. Listen to your body; it knows exactly what it needs. As long as there is a balance, you can love your body and yourself regardless.

There is a Community of Inspiration and Support Surrounding Us

Rachel Brathen, aka Yoga Girl, wrote a prayer called A Prayer for my Daughter. Part of the prayer is about is about how she prays that her daughter loves herself and her body, and never finds herself ashamed or embarrassed, and can always know her self-worth lies above all of that.  I would like to share this message of the prayer because it is incredibly fitting.

I am not guilty, I am AMAZING … because I love myself.

This beautiful prayer presents a story of exactly what I am communicating; be healthy, take care of yourself, and move your body, but do it because you love yourself and your body, and because it feels good to treat it to this wonderful experience of movement in nature and all the delicious and nutritious foods that this incredible earth has to offer.

Finding this prayer was another one of those instances where I was unsure about posting a deep post about real feelings and struggles, whereafter I found myself scrolling through Instagram and find this prayer that she wrote that connects so perfectly to what I desire to write about. I love when I can see how things are meant to be. Her post inspired me to persevere with writing this post and it helped me to refocus what it was that I wanted to communicate... so all I can hope is that this post is perhaps the motivation you need or the push you needed to show you the way in whatever situation or struggle you may find yourself in.

Let's be here for each other, and love each other like we do ourselves. Girls are amazing badasses; Let’s build each other up.

Support and Positivity vs. Big Companies with Mean Messages

D3 is a place to share healthy lifestyles, habits, and routines, and sharing how to create space to breathe in your life by getting rid of all the clutter and mess in your space. My goal is to communicate all these things in a positive light. That is why honest posts like these are important; I want to share these common or personal struggles so that we all find ourselves on the same level of togetherness so that we can create support, understanding,  and realization regarding all of these topics that produce extra an unnecessary stress and insecurities in our lives. This blog is not about being skinny and dieting and being an anal organization maniac, but rather creating an environment in your day to day life that excites you, fuels you, and inspires you. And for me, these three aspects of my blog are ways that I can achieve that life. We are all on this earth and in this life together. Eat healthy for the goodness of your body. Keep your house organized not for material purposes, but to de-stress your life and create harmony in your space. Have a morning routine to clear your mind and help you feel positive going into each day. Do it for YOU.

Nothing I write is a “you must do this to be happy”. All it is is ways to be happy in life. Maybe for you, that means looking a certain way or being on a certain diet, or maybe it simply means working out to feel good, not look good, and mediating in order to reconnect with your desires and follow your passions. It's OKAY to want to look good and work towards goals. The most important thought to keep in mind is to always feel good anyways if you know you take care of yourself, no matter what step you are at.

This message should expand into all areas of life and everything else you read, watch, and are exposed to. We live in such an extreme consumer culture that it is so vital to be aware of what you are taking in and how it is subconsciously influencing you. Advertisements are meant to make us believe we are missing something, and we will only be happy “when”… when we have this or that product that will make us more beautiful (aka no pores - like, what?!), or when we have these clothes that will make us “cool” (whatever that even means).  Who was the almighty person who decided that any of these better, cooler, or more expensive products were actually going to make you a happier person?
There is a life outside of all the presented status quo(s). You will never be able to get away from these influences and messages, but you can love yourself enough as you are to be aware of the fact that they are just trying to make money, and you are perfect the way you are.

TO DO’s for Living Your Life Truthfully, for YOURSELF.

1. Work out so you can sweat to feel good not look good The whole point of working on yourself is so that you can love yourself from the inside-out. Start on the inside because you will never be happy on the outer side until you love yourself regardless of that part. Work out to move your body, because your body craves it and loves you for stretching it out. Even if you are not where you want to be at yet, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Make sure it is for yourself, and not for someone else. Of course, we all want to look good, but until you learn to feel good in your own skin and be happy knowing that you are taking care of your body, then no number of pounds lost will matter because it will never be good enough. Even if you have a bigger goal in mind that you are working towards (which is AWESOME), still let ‘right now’ be good enough.

2. Put good fuelling nutrients in your bodyYes, be healthy. Yes, take care of your body. Because it is a temple. It is the most powerful and amazing creation you have. It's damn freakin' amazing. So what are we complaining and worrying about! This is the issue… we think that being “healthy” means dieting and denying ourselves foods that are labeled as “bad”. I am not advocating for you to go on a McDonald’s diet or let yourself each a full box of donuts every day, but have that piece of cake at your friend's party! Bake cookies and actually eat them … and feel good about it after!

3. You were born perfect and exactly as you should be

 
... so CELEBRATE yourself, who you are, what you look like. As long as you feel good on the inside, that's all that matters. We are simply looking at it the wrong way... trying to find inner peace and content by changing the outside (we think we can find it by changing what's on the outside). However, if you're not happy with yourself to begin with and proud of how far you've come, you will keep looking in the mirror and continue with the same negative thoughts. Life is pretty amazing… don't miss it because you’re busy complaining and being sad.

Reminder to Self: Life is beautiful. I am beautiful. I celebrate the highs and lows. I am on the right path to working towards my goals, and I am happy and celebrate life and myself regardless.

4. Do not waste a single precious moment worrying about what anyone else thinksIf you truly love yourself, love your body, love who you are, then whatever anyone else thinks doesn’t matter. I know this is easier said than done, but that doesn’t mean it's not a goal you can work towards. The majority of the time we don’t like what we see in the mirror because we are worried about the judgment of others.  When you look in the mirror, love what is there. Appreciate that you are special and unique.
Reminder to Self: I am happy with who I am and how I look and I love myself. Alternatively, or in addition to this, make a list of max. 10 people who are really important to you and whose opinions truly matter. Then everyone else can just become noise.

5. BELIEVE. Believe you can do whatever you set your mind to. Believe that you are amazing. Believe it and make that your reality. Manifest it.
Reminder to Self: I believe it. I will do this. I am doing this (“this” meaning whatever it is you wish to achieve or see happen in your life).

6. And gave gratitude. For the entirety of all journeys, not just the destinations. Be grateful for what you have, and be grateful for your future. Believe in the future you want and visualize it for yourself. If you want to create a habit of healthy living and bring more movement into your life, then envision that life. Believe you can do it and achieve whatever goals you set for yourself… Just make sure to love yourself along the way, regardless of where you are on your journey.
Reminder to Self: List of 3-5 things you are grateful for each day before you go to bed, to remind yourself how wonderful you are and how amazing your life is (even if it’s currently only in the small things).

 

You have to do YOU to be happy… I can’t tell you what that is.  

All I can do is create a platform to share my beliefs and passions. Use them as you wish, to create an amazing life or incorporate a healthy life style. Use them in a way that works for you! Take care of your body, work out to feel good, eat to enjoy, clean to move on. Everything in moderation.

You are enough… more than that, actually. So love your damn amazing self already!