Why Study This Mantra...

You will learn to measure how healthy you currently are with loving yourself... and what you can do about the results.

Introduction 

In order to have a constructive relationship with others, you must first have one with yourself. 

Your attitude toward yourself will inevitably influence every aspect of your life. Having a good attitude can center you in your life purpose, help you accept your own weaknesses, and develop self-compassion as you tackle life's biggest challenges. In short, it can make you more positive, confident, and resilient. 

It may seem curious to put this focus-on-yourself mantra in the "connection" category, but it is a prerequisite. The happier we are, the happier we make others. The higher our own well-being, the stronger our social relationships and our altruistic behavior. 

This month, you will learn where your self love is healthy and where it isn't. You'll take steps toward improving it. You'll learn to find time to do so.

Before you begin...

Before you start thes practices and challenges, take a moment to rate yourself on this mantra. Give yourself a score from 1-10 (10 being the highest). 

Do this again at the end of a month of practices and challenges. How much have you grown? 

The Practices

Daily Practice

Me First

Today's affirmation: "I am enough. My imperfections make me unique and special."

I vow to create "me" time today. My mantra on my wrist will serve as my reminder. This can be whatever works for me for this day. It might be a relaxation exercise or meditation, something nourishing like reading my favorite author, doing an activity that brings me true joy, or just cuddling with my pet. 

This month, each time I look at my wrist, I will be reminded to ask myself, "Is what I'm thinking helping or harming me? Is what I'm doing helping or harming me?" 

Monthly Challenge

Kill a Bad Habit

Before you can complete this challenge, you must first do the Self-Love Assessment. So complete that early in the month. Once complete, you'll choose one statement for the month to focus on. 

Find the statements where you drift closest to the "strongly disagree" side of the assessment. These are the key statements for you to focus on this month to increase your self love. Pick the one that speaks to you the most. Start with only one.

Now, act on it. Think about how you might improve your score on this statement. What actions can you take immediately? What can you do every day that will create a new behavior? What commitment instruments can you put in place to make sure you're reminded of and continue to perform the changed behavior? Once you've answered these questions, put the answers to work for this month's challenge.

Guided Journaling

Self-Love Assessment (The Bad Habit Finder)

In my journal, I will rate myself on the following metrics, from 1 to 10, strongly disagree to strongly agree. I will jot down any thoughts I have about each.

1. I am mindful of who I am. I act on that mindfulness, rather than acting on what others want of me.
2. I act on what I NEED to stay strong and centered, not on what I WANT, or what just feels good.
3. I practice good self-care, like sound nutrition, exercise, proper sleep, and healthy social interactions
4. I set boundaries. I don't allow into my life people, work, or activities that harm or drain me physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
5. I forgive myself when I make mistakes. 
6. I know my purpose and my life design and I live it.
7. I regularly take time for myself.
8. I engage in positive self-talk.

Pencils down. How did I score?

Each night this month, I will choose one of these metrics which I rated low to focus on. I will meditate on it. I will ask myself what's getting in my way of having a higher score on that metric. I will ask myself what I can do to overcome that hurdle.

The Reasoning

For a definitive look at this month's mantras and practices, including what philosophers, theologians, psychologists, and scientists throughout history have thought, taught, and advocated, click below.