On Loving Myself More

I've been finding myself feeling pretty darn sorry for myself lately. Mostly due to my struggling with my own expectations and balancing them with what I perceive as others' expectations of me. I'm a people-pleaser by nature. And it's brutal sometimes.

But what happens when as a people pleaser, you let yourself down? To be honest, I didn't really notice it much at first until it started manifesting into a general feeling of "meh." Over just about everything.

This month I am really trying to shift the focus back to me, but not in the all-me-all-the-time kind of way, but in allowing myself a little more love. I am always a huge fan of making time for yourself--especially if you're a mom, but this month it's not just all about allowing myself time.

How can you allow a little more love into your life? Here's what I'm embracing this month:

Patience
Things don't and won't happen overnight. Between me and Denny, I tend to be the most patient, but not always. Especially when I'm licking my wounds and waiting for things magically reverse themselves. Hint: they will, but not in the snap of my fingers.

Grace
I need to give myself a break every once in a while. I need to gently remind myself that I have come a long way. I am not perfect. Every step forward counts. I am human. I am grateful for this experience, because it is molding me.

Worth
I am worth this journey. I deserve to put in the work. I am worthy of living a healthy, fulfilling life, full of confidence, the aforementioned grace, and faith in myself that I can pull through and faith in God that he will see me through it.

Purpose
I am here for a reason. My God has greater plans for me than I could ever dream up. This stumble? It's there for a reason.

Time
Even if it means closing myself into a closet for 10 minutes of quiet time and reflection, I am going to take it. Time to read, pray, think...I am going to take that 10 minutes and savor them.

This time of the year is always crazy. I feel like it is some sort of crazy coincidence that, as soon as we fall into step with the new rhythm and schedule of a new school year, we are thrown into the holiday season. I won't lie, in the past I've come out on the other side of December a hot mess. But not this year! I am determined to make the rest of this year the best ever, and that'll come with a lot of love.