Mantra for Self-Love

So, 2021 may not have got off to the best start, with another National Lockdown. But this time around, we can see an end in sight, and we know that the vaccine roll-out will make a huge difference to our lives.

It’s still understandable to feel worried about it, with a mix of fear, frustration and impatience making it hard to look forward positively quite yet. So – be kind to yourself. Practise self-love, and put your own emotional needs first, to give you the strength to get through this next – short – phase with a smile on your face. Here are my mantras for self-love and self-care in 2021:

Recharge my body, reclaim my self

After a tough 2020, many of us feel in need of a recharge. It’s hard to sleep well and relax deeply, when we are worried about the pandemic and its impact on lives and livelihoods. But we need to find a way to recover our energy and reclaim our enthusiasm for life, even in spite of such challenging circumstances. Work out what it is that you need, and try to find space and time in your life for it. 

Today, I will breathe deeper. Exhale slower. Find the stillness within me

Breathing is fundamental to life, and is something we all learn to do from the first second we emerge from the womb. But over time, we forget to breathe deeply enough and slowly enough, to really energise our bodies and slow down our heart rate. Take the time to slow down, be still, and breathe deeply, whenever you feel stressed or rushed – just for a few moments. It will help you connect with that stillness inside you, and bring a sense of calm. 

True wellbeing lies within me

Remind yourself that you are in control of your own wellbeing, to a very great extent. The food we eat, the exercise we do, how much we drink, how well we sleep, what we spend our time thinking about – all of this has a huge impact on our wellbeing. Take gentle steps to improve your physical and emotional wellbeing, by making positive choices this year.

I am enough

A really important message of self-love and self-acceptance: you are enough, just as you are. You are good enough, strong enough, clever enough, whatever enough – just exactly as you are right now. You don’t need to change, or look for external validation. You have just as much right as anyone else to be here on this earth, so embrace and celebrate who you are right now.  

I celebrate the woman I am

Another brilliant mantra for self-acceptance, self-respect and self-love: I celebrate the woman I am. I don’t need to change. I don’t need to be like you, or like her, or like them. I don’t need to live up to anyone else’s expectations of me, or fit into a conventional box. I am happy as I am, and I celebrate that. 

Look inside yourself. Be your own soulmate

This is a great mantra if you are single, or if you feel you need someone else to complete you. Look deeply inside yourself, to find out what you need to be happy – and then, be that for yourself. You need love, compassion, kindness? Great – you can be kind and compassionate to yourself. You need adventure and excitement? Great – plan some activities for when we have more freedom. You need intellectual stimulation? Great – download some interesting books, subscribe to a magazine, find a reading group online. So much is within our own grasp, if we just take the initiative.

I open my heart to new experiences, without expectation

Try to let go of expectations this year. Be open to what life brings you, and welcome the outcome, whatever happens. The road to peace of mind and happiness is to let go of trying to manage everything and control what happens to us in life. Embrace the unknown, and just enjoy the experience.

What do I need right now, to flourish?

Maybe right now, trips to spas and a deep tissue massage aren’t within our grasp. But a hot bath by candlelight, a walk in the countryside, a quiet hour to read a book, a Zoom call with a friend, a lie-in at the weekend, or a craft session with the kids – maybe these small things can make a difference to us. Don’t crave the big stuff right now – look for the little luxuries of time and space that will help you flourish. And prioritise them, this month.

I am evolving and transforming

Has 2020 changed you? This mantra celebrates change within ourselves, not just out in the world. Forgive yourself if you feel you have changed for the worst – it’s been a challenging year. But know that you are continually evolving – and the end of the crisis will bring the chance to re-evaluate once again. For now - be kind to yourself and recognise that stress can make us all behave differently.

So, maybe 2021 hasn’t started as we had all hoped. But I remain excited about the year ahead, as it is a chance to put the challenges of 2020 behind us, and move forwards positively. We need a little more time, a little more patience, and a little more fortitude – so be kind to yourself, as you manage your own disappointment and hold on for just a little longer…

Jo xx