How did you start your journey towards self-love? How do you practice gratitude? Are there any videos or podcasts you recommend?
Wow! This is a big question. I'd like to preface my answer with: EVERYONE'S journey to self-love is something that is a complex, life-long, and extremely personal process. It is also not linear, so you will definitely have days where you feel like you've conquered your self-love, and other days you just don't feel your best self. This is all ok, and NORMAL!! If you always thought you were awesome, then you disable yourself from having the capacity to see the many other ways you have left to grow. That being said, if you're trying to overcome being hard on yourself, and not seeing the beauty in yourself. Take a moment, and really think about the parts of your mind that you like. Also, think about people that you are genuinely inspired by (can be someone you personally know or a famous person whatever), then identify the traits you like in them that you aspire to possess yourself. From that, think of things you could do to also be in that way. For example, to someone you find beautiful in your life, do you admire the way they speak their mind? or how they are constantly self-less? or forgiving? Then from identifying these traits, you think of ways that you believe (which best work for YOU) would help you also be i.e. a person that speaks their mind. Working towards becoming and being exemplary of the traits you admire most, is one of the primary ways I believe you subconsciously develop a stronger bond towards your self-love. Because you become what you admire. It is beyond physical. That's the first misconception you HAVE to let go. Because NO ONE is societal's standard of beauty, so you will never be able to obtain self-love if you strictly see it at surface-level.
Also, for your second question, how do I practice gratitude? I am constantly telling those closest to me that I love them and I'm grateful for them!! Not only just telling, but I show them. I always take note of the little things that my family/ partner/ friends say that they enjoy or want, and try to take them to those places or get them as gifts, just to show my appreciation and the fact that they are seen! It also doesn't have to only be some grand gesture. Just taking the time out of your day to talk to those you love, and giving that effort can go a long way. Gratitude can also be felt with constant self-reflection. I wake up everyday or at least a few times a day, thinking about the positive ways the people in my life have treated me, or the positive events that have happened in my life to get me where I am now, and I just thank God, the universe, and my circumstances for allowing me to be so fortunate in these ways.
Now, I don't listen to any particular podcasts. But, my favourite videos to watch are by "Good Mythical Morning" (hosted by Rhett & Link). I watch them everyday for years now- they literally bring a smile to my day, and help me start my day with the right mind set (or at the very least give me a laugh). I highly recommend watching them- they are so goofy and hilarious!!
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