“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

 

Editor’s note: This is a special guest post by the very lovely Kendra Kantor. Enjoy darlings!

Can you remember the last time you looked in the mirror and smiled? Sometimes, I go way too long between even glancing in the mirror let alone looking with positivity and smiles. I don’t always feel beautiful or proud of myself, but I’m working on it.

I’m able to view myself with more love and compassion than I used to because of just a few small changes I’ve started to implement on a daily basis. I don’t want to keep this improvement to myself and want to share my 2 secrets with you.

Look at yourself through the eyes of your best friend or partner

Life changing. I can’t believe it took me so long to think of this and try it out. I don’t know about you, but far too often I complain to my husband that I’m ugly or not good enough. He always, naturally, disagrees. But why? I have always asked. How do you see my as something completely opposite as I do?

Because as my best friend and husband, he sees me as the women who takes care of his son, who has learned to laugh more than she cries, as a girl with a cute obsession to ice cream. When I look at myself through the eyes of my husband, I realize he sees me as passionate and determined, stubborn and strong for getting through all the struggles I’ve dealt with as someone with depression and anxiety.

I can start to see myself as someone who encourages others, and man that is awesome of me. I start to see that he sees my body not as one covered in ugly stretchmarks, but as something to love and care for, something that has grown and birthed and fed a child, something that has traveled across the country, something that helps me dance and go on hikes and roll on the floor.

What do you see when you look at yourself through your best friend or partners eyes? Do you see someone lovable and beautiful and kind?  Do you see someone smart and strong and capable?

Celebrate everything you accomplish and be proud.

This is something I’ve done for a while and something I encourage every single person I meet to do. I started this practice when I really started my healing journey from depression and anxiety over a year ago. I was, obviously, making progress but sometimes it was so slow that I didn’t notice it. So I started writing down what I did on a daily basis that was small, but added up.

I started celebrating the times I managed a shower as a stay at home mom. I started celebrating the fact that I cooked eggs for lunch instead of just making pb and j. I started celebrating that I could take my son on a walk around the neighborhood alone when a few months before I could barely leave my bed.

Now, I am proud of almost everything I do. I am proud that I make sure I have time to create a business. I am proud that I started gymnastics classes with my son. I am proud that I allow my husband his own self care time. I am proud that only had 2 cups of coffee instead of 4 today.

Celebrate the things you do, no matter how big or how small. Look back at where you were a year ago, 6 months ago or even 1 month ago. What have you done today or this week that you can say “hell yeah I rock!” Did you wear a swim suit? Did you say “no” to buying that $5 and 1200 calorie coffee this afternoon? Did you put in a little extra effort at the office today?

I know as women we want to instantly feel beautiful and awesome and love ourselves. I know it’s easy to sit and just moan about our self esteem or bad hair day. But when you start doing just a few small things everyday to think about yourself in a positive way, to celebrate who you are and what you are doing, it adds up and makes a huge difference over time.

Improving your self image is amazing and does so many things for your life. How can you see yourself with love today? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

About the Author of this post:

As a Wellness Mentor and Guide, Kendra Kantor wants to live in a world where mental and emotional wellness and self care is a top priority. She is here to help you figure out who you really want to be, while making it all feel you’re just chatting to your bff! Her fans and customers have called her “compassionate” with a  “gentle guidance” that really speaks to women with mental illnesses.

If you’re ready to start improving your self worth, get your free “I Am Proud!” journal, today and take stock of all your big and little achievements: [http://kendrakantor.com/proud]

Kendra’s website:  http://kendrakantor.com

Thank you Kendra for this insightful article! I’m sure the readers of PositiveProvocations.com enjoyed your perspective.

♥♥”Thank you SO much for reading! Please, share this article on your favorite social networks. Every share, like or tweet makes me reach more people who need a positive healing nudge in their lives. I truly appreciate you!”♥♥

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~

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