Self-Love Possibilities: Spins from Untamed

Self-Love Possibilities

My time in a book club led by Jannette Anderson, women’s business coach and founder of Bodicity was rewarding. The book of choice was Untamed: Stop Pleasing, Start Living, by Glennon Doyle. Jannette encouraged us to do some self-love deepening based on some of Doyle’s messages. One exercise was to describe our ideal life. I called my piece, Dear Truest and Most Beautiful Life. Another exercise was to list 100 ways we love ourselves, which I called, Dear Self.

I share my ponderings, imaginings and lists so that you might consider doing likewise. Should you be curious, yes doing these exercises did stretch me. We are seldom called to affirm ourselves, and the effort was rewarding. If I do not affirm myself, who will? Perhaps it is time, for you, too, to shine a light on your bright spots.

Unleashed Exercise One:

Dear Truest and Most Beautiful Life,

This is how I imagine you unfolding:

1. A vintage body, cherished with all its lumps, bumps and sags clothed in soft comforting textures with dashes of fun and colour, especially cherry red, lime green and canary yellow.
2. Warm, firm hands caressing, massaging and relaxing the lumps, bumps and sags, plus the tired muscles underneath.
3. Delicious linen that embraces sweet dreams and a good night’s sleep.
4. The uninhibited and non-guilt indulgence of pralines and cream ice cream with dark chocolate and almonds galore on the side.
5. Baking berry pies, brownies, crème brule, or scones. while keeping an eye on a roasting chicken without my back aching but having more of a skip to my kitchen movement.
6. Embracing that my body needs more rest, and the wee late hours are my respite.
7. A morning rejoice at seeing the treadmill. But even more feeling delight to mount the beast and take off with a Brene Brown podcast.
8. Snuggling with my hubby while he silently luxuriates with his new, so sweet cat on his lap.
9. Appreciating that I have a deep well of healed pain, have witnessed transformation of others’ unimaginable pain, and have the wisdom of a crone and the laughter of a child.
10. Family and friends gather to celebrate that they feel loved and I smile inside, as I know I am a part of that result.
11. My creative mind stays fired with discovering, learning, and developing programs, talks, videos and whatever else emerges as an uplift to my need to express and give my gifts.
12. My life is filled with joy, gratitude, connection, and meaningful, purposeful fun. It also has moments of blissful silliness!

Unleashed Exercise Two:

Dear Self,
Here is what I love about you in the name of self-love!

I love the physicality of your:

1. toes that help balance me, even with a broken, weak baby toe
2. ankles that keep an eye on my blood clots
3. legs that like to dance
4. uterus that housed two children
5. waist that is still evident, most days
6. lap for holding grandkids (boo-hoo my lap misses them), my laptop, and one day a purring cat
7. belly button that helped get me here
8. solar plexus which reminds me of my personal power
9. breasts that fed two babes and are now racing to hit my knees
10. heart which keeps ticking, expanding, and loving
11. throat and larynx that help me project my voice and message
12. arms that love to swing
13. hands and fingers that spend endless hours keyboarding
14. shoulders that have carried worry and much responsibility.
15. mouth that lights up my face with a generous swipe of lipstick.
16. lips that caress my Les’ juiced pair; and often blow kisses.
17. teeth and one bridge that add to my smile and chew my food.
18. nose that smells the delights of garlic, chocolate, and fresh laundry.
19. hazel eyes that draw in beauty and disgust, make meaningful contact with others, and draw in hours of information.
20. ears that lean into sounds of whimpers, sighs, joy, pleasure, panting of Nola our grand-dog, and messages of all kinds
21. hear drums that adapted to hearing aids
22. forehead a no-bother body part
23. hair! glad i still have some

 I love your mind for its:

24. eagerness to learn, dream, imagine
25. growth mindset
26. adaptability
27. creativity
28. social intelligence
29. emotional intelligence
30. extroverted preference
31. varied interests
32. problem solving ability
33. acceptance, most days, of what is
34. sense of gratitude
35. corny humor
36. resilience

I love your awareness of:

37. mind set
38. the breath
39. emotions
40. physical/feeling sensations
41. ethics
42. care, kindness, and empathy
43. virtues
44. spirituality
45. psychology
46. technology

I love that you experienced the roles of:

47. daughter
48. sister
49. granddaughter
50. niece
51. cousin
52. girlfriend
53. lover
54. fiancée
55. newly wed
56. sister-in-law
57. daughter-in-law
58. wife
59. mother
60. grandmother
61. great-grandmother
62. student
63. farm girl
64. city gal
65. neighbor
66. therapy client
67. friend in deep, light, conflicted, tight, loose, short, and long friendships
68. participant in deep dive healings at Esalen, Finhorn, Five Oaks, Hollyhock and many individual, couple, family, and group personal development and therapy sessions and events

I loved that you stepped into the professional roles of:

69. Early Childhood Educator
70. Parent Educator
71. Family Resource Director
72. College Instructor
73. Resiliency Expert
74. Therapist for individuals, couples, and families
75. Women’s Empowerment Facilitator
76. Trauma Therapist
77. Workshop Leader
78. Keynote Speaker
79. Emcee
80. Author
81. Mentor
82. TEDx Speaker Coach

I love that you identify as a:

83. she, her, and caring woman
84. feminist
85. enthusiast
86. extrovert
87. life longer learner
88. Canadian
89. Spunky Senior

I love that you love to:

90. unconditionally love
91. help others feel heard, uplifted, and/or heal
92. write, blog, teach, encourage, and mentor
93. produce video, edit, and post
94. advocate, organize and support
95. cook and bake
96. collapse, nap, and cry with little judgment
97. quickly forgive
98. demonstrate patience, calm and excited exuberance
99. chat with friends and family friendly telephone or zoom call
100. treat yourself with green or licorice tea, chocolate, fruit, peanut butter, creative projects, hugs, and kisses

Happy self-love to you as you unleash, affirm, and celebrate your life!