Float.

[hotmenbooties]

[hip-hop-homoerotica]

[eyeofscottie]

[last-week-of-tweak-deactivated2]

[sk-lumen]

Because I love myself, I take the time to cook a hearty, delicious meal for myself. Even if cooking is not a preoccupation of mine, even if it is a chore, even if I’d rather be doing anything else. I take the time to nourish my body, because I know I will feel so much better, and stronger, and relish the gratitude that blooms in my chest for being kind to myself.

Because I love myself, I take the time to tidy up every day, to make my bed in the morning, because I know it gives a lovely start to my day and gives me a boost of satisfaction. I take the time to put my clothes away, and fold the dry laundry, and neatly prepare my outfit for the next day, because I know future me will breathe in relief and feel even a little more at ease for having a task already handled and sorted out, one less worry on my list.

Because I love myself, in each moment I mindfully and intentionally choose what is healthy, joyful and uplifting for me. In each moment, I choose whatever path is brighter and brings more ease and gentleness into my heart.

Because I love myself, I write out my to-do list as often as I can, because I know it will give me more peace of mind and focus so I can achieve my goals.

Because I love myself, I am mindful of my shortcomings, triggers, traumas and anxieties, and take mind not to trigger them; avoid actions that I know will trigger them, while at the same time lovingly working through then within myself, taking the time to address, evaluate and release what I can.

Because I love myself, I am mindful not to be hard on myself, or be overly critical, or demanding. I know that in each moment I am trying my best, and that is good enough, always and forever - even if my best happens to be 5%. It is ok. It is my best, and it is enough. Each day is different, and I welcome the beauty and diversity of that. I know that mistakes are inevitable, because that is life, and that ultimately there is no wrong or right, in the end your life choices simply are, and you take ownership for your decisions, because it is the path you have intentionally chosen for yourself.

Because I love myself, I understand that I am complex, that like nature itself, my spirit moves through seasons where I am reborn, bloom wildly, recharge or hibernate; like the moon, my spirit moves through cycles where I burn brightest and then withdraw, even drown, in my own darkness. Because balance is necessary for the spirit, mind and body to integrate all its intricate, miraculous facets, both dark and light.

Because I love myself, I know that life is not a race, or a competition, and so I do not strive to be better than anyone else, other than myself; I strive not to outdo anyone else, but myself; I strive for the highest regard of no one else, other than myself; I strive for self development, and not artificial (and consequently subjective and relative) perfection.

Because I love myself, I forgive all those that have wronged me, not firstly for the sake of others, but for my own peace of mind and soul, so I may release myself from the captivity of painful bonds, relationships, memories. I forgive all those that have wronged me, including myself, because I know myself, and know my value, and my worth, and most of all know that I deserve to be happy and at peace - with myself, with others, with my past.

Because I love myself, I know that I am not a fixed definition in the vocabulary of all that know me. Instead I am a concept, an ever changing enigma even to myself. I am always evolving, improving, transforming; and that is something that nobody and nothing can withhold from me, or hold against me.

Because I love myself, I know that life is not about doing the right thing according to this or that. Instead, life is about choosing for me what makes me happiest and most at peace (but never at the negative expense of others). I understand that I am the protagonist of my story, and that the only editor of my narrative is me - not my friends, or lovers, or family. I can erase, rewrite and draft my storyline as many times as I need, as many times as I want.

I love myself, because that is my base nature, it is my natural self. When I relax into my being, when I let myself to simply be, I relax into my most natural state, and that is love.

A Manifesto Of Self Love by SK Lumen

[drip-2-hard]

[makeuphall]

[trapwords]

[novmber18th]

[tommy-ford]

[homogaleria]

[becauseideserve]

[nunmajor]

[financeprincess]

✨ things that make my life feel expensive ✨

Always being curious to learn and actively pursuing knowledge. This is #1 for me. Constantly be trying to elevate yourself with information. There's no better time than now to be able to learn new things. Psychology, theory, fiction, persuasion, finance, history, emotional growth, nutrition, beauty, time management, philosophy, politics, strategy, classic literature, art, high fashion, hard sciences, technology, investing. There's so many things to learn about. There are a lot of free courses out there as well.

Having manners and etiquette. Smile at people. Be friendly. Be especially kind to people working in the service industry, retail, customer service.

Being well spoken. Limit profanity and slang. Don't gossip or say anything about yourself in a negative light. Think before you speak. It's okay to pause, think, and articulate.

Water, tea, freshly squeezed or cold pressed juices in champagne flutes or wine glasses.

Making fancy cocktails (or mocktails!) and putting them in proper glasses, with stirrers. It helps if you have a bar setup too, I have a cute lil bar cart with all the fixings.

Expensive smelling candles. They don't have to actually be expensive, they just need to look cute and smell good.

Fresh flowers.

Taking bubble baths.

Cooking delicious recipes from scratch, and eating at the dining room table with a full setup. Candles, glassware, cloth napkins, jazz music in the background, the whole nine yards. Ambience is everything.

Drinking tea in the afternoon out of a teapot and teacup.

Natural air fresheners. Essential oil diffusers, incense, reed diffusers. I'm a big fan of fresh eucalyptus bundles in the shower too.

Salt lamps and battery operated candles. I try to live off of low, warm lighting and sunlight as much as I can.

Houseplants.

Buying cute crystals and setting up an altar to myself. I have a pretty silk scarf laid out on the end of my vanity, with crystals, sage, written affirmations, etc.

Silk robes.

Big fluffy bathrobes.

Sunlight. Get as much as you can, even in the winter. Go outside in your puffy coat if you have to.

Being in nature, in general. Nature walks are essential.

Listening to jazz & classical music.

Reading. There are a lot of free ebooks online, or you can go to the library too.

Champagne.

Cooking with fresh herbs, vegetables, fruits etc.

Trying new hobbies. Ballet, yoga, Pilates, barre, horseback riding, etc.

Maintaining a clean and beautiful home environment.

Wearing perfumes & perfume oils. Right now I'm obsessed with Oudh, it smells incredible.

Wearing jewelry I love.

Trying new recipes out of fancy cookbooks.

Going to wineries and attending wine tasting events.

Try baking delicious and healthy treats.

Fresh, high quality bedding. Crispy, high thread count white sheets. Feathery pillows. Great quality mattress.

Get up and watch the sun rise, if you can. Sunsets are beautiful too.

Get blackout curtains, especially if you live in a city with light pollution.

Fancy coffee table books.

Fresh bread, either from a local bakery or homemade.

Going to farmers markets.

Going to museums and art galleries.

Having dinner with friends. Either at a nice restaurant or having a dinner party.

Sleeping. Resting. Hibernating. Sitting. Napping. Relaxing. Being Present. Single tasking.

Espresso drinks at home, with a milk frother and espresso machine. The cost of a mid range espresso machine will pay for itself in no time if you drink takeout coffee regularly.

Bluetooth speakers in the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen.

Big, fluffy, white bath towels.

High quality, nontoxic personal care products. This goes for hair products, face products, body care, makeup, even toothpaste. Don't throw everything out, just be conscious of your purchases when you buy new things.

Going on picnics in the park.

Dark chocolate.

Gelato.

Days at the beach.

Beautiful lingerie.

Matcha lattes.

Going to brunch.

Going to the library and bookstores.

Smoothies.

Reservations at new and exciting restaurants.

Reusing pretty candle jars as containers.

Reading luxurious magazines and newspapers. Some of my favorite are Vogue, Town & Country, Architectural Digest, Food & Wine, Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, and The Wall Street Journal.

xoxo ♥

[sosuperawesome]

Text Message Pins // The Gray Muse on Etsy

[themeninthistown]

[black-lake]

You are allowed to change anytime, any day and any minute with no prior notice. Don’t feel guilty for changing because someone else, your family, your friends, or society is uncomfortable with it. You are your only green light and nothing else matters. No one owes you your past self, your past actions, or past way of being. The faster you improve yourself the easier you outgrow these people or things that are holding you back. As you look back at your life one day, you will be so proud of these incredible transformations.