I hate when people imply that you can't love others before you love yourself, when actually most of us learn how to love ourselves through being loved by others. Which means that if you haven't been loved properly by others, the solution to that trauma usually isn't to try to fix yourself in isolation
energy givers: ⋆ sunlight ⋆ fresh air ⋆ deep breaths ⋆ music ⋆ nourishing foods ⋆ water ⋆ mindfulness ⋆ affirmations ⋆ rest and sleep ⋆ exercise ⋆ self care ⋆ love ⋆ connections
Often "what can I do to take care of myself?" is a more actionable question than "how do I love myself?" or "how do I recover?" Because often you don't need to solve your deepset emotional issues to realize that you'd benefit from eating lunch, or going for a walk, or actually doing your laundry
I gained weight since last summer and don’t fit into the shorts I bought last year. Guess what I’m doing? NOT losing weight. I will be buying new shorts in a size or two bigger because clothes are supposed to fit YOU, not the other way around
Other people have free will, you cannot control their actions. This means it is up to them to choose to be kind to you or to help you. You are not burdening people or forcing them to care for you.
I haven’t been able to do a pull up in over 1.5 years.
1.5 years ago I injured my right shoulder picking up a box. A year ago at this time I couldn’t raise my right hand above shoulder height. I had trouble putting a shirt on or reaching behind my back. I all but stopped working out due to severe pain putting any weight or strain on my shoulder at all.
I went though months of physical therapy, some thought I needed surgery but I resisted. Six months ago I still couldn’t raise my hand all the way up and even hanging from a bar was not an option. I felt pretty defeated like I’d never be able use my shoulder the way I once had again…yet I persisted. I felt like giving up many times… and yet I kept working at it.
A few months ago I was able to hang from a pull up bar and lift my feet off the floor with little to no pain. I wanted to try a pull up, put my shoulder didn’t feel ready and my gut said no and not to rush things.
Today I felt ready, I was nervous and not sure I’d be able to pull it off. I decided to record my first attempt for better or worse. Worst case I failed and used it as motivation to keep trying. Best case I succeeded and it served as motivation. Either way I made up my mind that today was the day.
So, after a year and a half I achieved my goal of 1 successful pull up. After feeling like I’d never be able to do one again it certainly felt great. 😎