This week, we encourage you to envelop yourself in self-love.
You are unique, valuable, and deserving of the love and care that you give to others.
This week's affirmation is…
I Deserve Love
Je Mérite L'amour
Remember, self-love is a continuous process, and it's okay to seek support from others, whether it's through friends, family, or professionals.
Taking the time to nurture and care for yourself is not selfish; it's a necessary foundation for a fulfilling and balanced life.
“When we can see ourselves as we truly are and accept ourselves, we build the necessary foundation for self-love…”
bell hooks
*All photos are links to more information. The bookshop.org link is an affiliate link
We'll start this week with a blog post from one of my favorite collectives...
The Skin I’m In: Love Thy Self
from Therapy for Black Girls
“Self-love is the best love” is an age-old adage that we have most likely all heard before. In recent years, it seems self-love and self-care have become increasingly popular. However, it’s come at the risk of being commercialized. When you think of self-care or self-love, you probably envision getting massages, taking a bubble bath, or buying certain products to make you feel good. However, loving yourself is so much more than that. Don’t get me wrong, pampering yourself is important, but we can show ourselves, love, in so many different categories in our life. Most of us know how to take care of ourselves on a physical and mental level. But other realms of self-love include emotional, social, professional, environmental, spiritual, and financial levels.
Next, a meditation...
Meditation on Self-Love and Self-Worth
from Guided Meditation
You are worthy of love. And, you are worthy of loving yourself. This means having forgiveness for yourself - and taking care of yourself first. This will, in turn, result in a deeper care for others.
A self-love challenge...
The Everygirl’s 28-Day Self-Love Challenge
by Josie Santi
Since February is the month of love, here's a challenge focusing on the most worthy kind of relationship: the one you have with yourself. For every day in February, you’ll be challenged to try journaling prompts and activities focusing on getting to know yourself, wooing yourself, caring for yourself, and prioritizing yourself. Follow the challenge, and you’ll have a whole new perspective on self-love by March 1.
A bonus blog... a testimony
How I Finally Achieved Radical Self-Love, and You Can Too
by Isabelle Eyman
Next, our book selections, I re-read these three books yearly...
SALVATION: BLACK PEOPLE AND LOVE
writings on love and its impact on race, class, family, history, and popular culture raise all the relevant issues
COMMUNION: THE FEMALE SEARCH FOR LOVE
the heart-to-heart talk every woman -- mother, daughter, friend, and lover -- needs to have
a revelation about what causes a polarized society and how to heal the divisions that cause suffering. Here is the truth aboutlove, and inspiration to help us instill caring, compassion, and strength in our homes, schools, and workplaces
by bell hooks
Lastly, a self-love classic!
starring Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, and Harry Dean Stanton
If you know, you know
“When we work with love we renew the spirit; that renewal is an act of self-love, it nurtures our growth. It's not what you do but how you do it…”
bell hooks
as always, affirmations from previous weeks are available here
you'll be hearing more from me soon. Promise.
tamara charese
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