I Love You Unconditionally

I find loving myself unconditionally to be hard sometimes. I’m fooling myself, it really is most times. Especially on days when I have a bad body image, when my skin is breaking out, or when I am tired and moody, looking at myself in the mirror and thinking positive things are not always the easiest task. Although it is hard, and I know firsthand how hard it can be, coming to love yourself unconditionally is one of the most important things you can do to heighten the value of your life.

One thing that I believe has made practicing unconditionally love for myself easier is telling myself that as long as I am trying my best to fuel, work, and preserve my healthy body, I have to love the way it is at this moment. The key is- my body is working it’s hardest for me, and because of the way I treat it, it cannot be any different in this moment, so I must love it just the way it is.

The hardest part about loving yourself unconditionally is looking into the past or future and comparing yourself to those versions of you. When this happens, it is important to remind yourself that there is only one real version of you, and that version is here in the present. So whatever happened in the past, or the goals you are setting for yourself in the future, your body was or will be surrounded by different circumstances than it is in this present moment. And furthermore, the versions of yourself that you may compare your current body to are not real. They only exist in your mind. The only body you have available to love is the one in the present; the one that is here at this moment. And none others. Your body keeps you happy and healthy, up and functioning, relaxed and fueled, and allows you to live the life you make for yourself. How could you not love your body for this?

When you find yourself being especially negative towards your body, remind yourself all it does for you throughout the day. And I’m not kidding- actually go back and think to yourself all the places your body has carried you, all the muscles you have used that your body supports, and all the things you are able to do throughout the day that you do mindlessly because your body is working extra hard for you. When you put it into this perspective, it is effortless to remind yourself that your body is amazing, beautiful, powerful, and worth all your love. Keep reminding yourself this and it will become a natural thought. Eventually, you will look at yourself in the mirror, any day of the week, and say, “I Love You Unconditionally.”

– Avery