What is self-love exactly? Some people think it is narcissism, but it isn’t. It is about self-awareness and taking responsibility for oneself. It is respecting yourself and knowing your own limits and boundaries. I feel self-love on some level is essential for a healthy life balance. And as a full-time working mum I know self-love is imperative to maintaining sanity and self-worth. If I don’t love and respect myself, no-one else will either!
I have no trouble putting my own needs ahead of others'. I am not talking about my family, their needs are paramount and always come an equal first with my own. I am talking about sometimes saying no to invitations, setting boundaries and openly voicing them with others to ensure others are aware of my boundaries. I believe when it comes to our own needs clarity and consistency is our own responsibility, and we each have the individual power to assert it. And what if others don’t like it? Tough.
I fill my every weekend with self-love. My two days off are mine to spend with my family, everything else comes second. This weekend my house chores came second. Or maybe third or even fourth. I looked around and pondered about what I could do, what small amount of cleaning would make the abode look decent again, and then promptly packed the boot of the car with towels and boogie boards and headed for the beach. Funnily enough the mess is still there, and I don’t care. I am still daydreaming about how beautiful the beach was, and the laughs and chatter with my family filled my soul with love. A clean house would never do that.
What did you do for yourself this past week that filled your heart with joy? Did you take time to do something that makes you smile? Did you put aside the chores to do something fun instead?
This is the first of my self-love soiree link-ups, please don’t leave me hanging. Share something with me, ANYTHING! Heck you can post a photo of a cup of coffee if you like, trust me, I will enjoy it.
Grab my button link below and add it to your post, then link it up baby! And please, if someone other than me does link up, head over and say hello.
Love this Peggy! Absolutely fantastic idea. If anything it will remind me to do something for myself each week!
ReplyDeleteI'll link up tomorrow. :) xx
Ps. Your photos are beautiful - looked like a fabulous beach day.
Excellent, that was my intention, to remind you lovelies to do something nice for yourself. And also to be nosy and get a look-in to what you're doing. ;)
DeleteThanks in advance for linking up Amelia, I thought it might just be me, the crickets and some tumbleweed blowing in the wind.
It was a beautiful beach day, two of them in fact. I find so much beauty in the beach, in every minor detail. Thank you. xo
What wonderful photos Peggy. I love this idea - will give it some thought (and congrats on your own linky!)
ReplyDeleteThank you Deb, all taken on the humble iPhone as I don't like the idea of taking my camera to the beach.
DeleteWould love it if you joined in. And thank you, very exciting! xo
Great idea Peggy!! Will have a think and get back to you!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, you always capture the beauty that is fun on the beach.
Thank you Nat. I'd LOVE to hear about something nice you've done for yourself or something that has made you smile. :) xo
DeleteLoving this linky Peggy! I try and do lots that fill my heart with joy, but at a simple level, my focus is self-care. And that's waking early to get control of my day. A quiet cuppa goes a long way!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Self-care is very necessary Fi, and a quiet cuppa is definitely good for the soul. In our crazy, busy world it is the least we can do for yourselves.
DeleteThanks again for linking up, I am still smiling. :)
Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely more satisfying than cleaning (yet again).
Today I should have been working on school documents, cooking and cleaning while Magoo napped.
Instead, I napped too.
And loved it.
So brilliant that you have a linky.
:-) xxx
BRILLIANT!! Napping is very essential, and I bet the school documents didn't go anywhere! Good for you Shar, good for you. :)
DeleteI have a linky! xo
Oh good on you Peggy! I love that you have that awareness, it takes some people a lifetime to develop... and even then some people don't get it. I think I'm practically there, maybe could work on the self love a little more, but it's better than it was a few years back.
ReplyDeleteWhat spectacular photos and such wonderful memories to keep... as opposed to the rather forgettable memories you would have of cleaning and the like xo
Thank you Jules, I still have my moments but I am definitely way ahead of where I was a few years ago in terms of self-awareness. At first it feels selfish, and almost extravagant, but fortunately I have had someone gently and quietly coach me into believing I am worth it. I think we all need to know that. And believe it.
DeleteMaybe if you want to work on the self-love aspect you could write a post and link up here? (see what I did there.) ;) xo
Great idea, Pegs!
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely. :) xo
DeleteWhat a beautifully inspiring site you have here Peggy, so glad I stumbled across it this morning! The idea of a 'self love soiree' is simply stunning. YAY! Rach xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you Rach, I love your site too! Very inspiring and beautiful. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving me a note, I love to come across like-minded people. I love the space you have created. xo
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