weightwatchers.com/au 53LOVING YOU
THURSDAY: KNOW WHO YOU ARE
So often we over-commit, over-give and stay in harmful situations
for longer than is good for us because we feel unworthy. Life coach
and best-selling author Iyanla Vanzant suggests writing down
10 statements beginning with the words, ‘I am...’.
“Write it as a noun, not as an adjective,” she says. “Not ‘I am
loveable’ but ‘I am love’, ‘I am beauty’, ‘I am light’, ‘I am health’,
‘I am wealth’, ‘I am power’. If you do this every day you’ll start to
discover your true self-worth.”FRIDAY: SEND YOURSELF FLOWERS
Fresh flowers brighten your living space and make you feel good.
Why wait for someone else to send a bouquet? Send yourself your
favourite flowers and include a note: ‘You’re wonderful!’ or ‘I am
proud of you’ are lovely words to receive – even from yourself.SATURDAY: SET BOUNDARIES
Do you feel like you can never say no? Trying to please everybody
doesn’t lead to lasting happiness. You may feel happy briefly when
people are grateful, but inner happiness comes from setting clear
boundaries that truly meet your needs. If you’re considering
agreeing to a request you’d rather turn down, look in the mirror and
ask yourself, ‘Why am I doing this?’
If you agree to doing something somebody else wants but you
don’t, ask yourself, ‘Who am I doing this for?’ Once you know
what you do and don’t want, it becomes easier to set boundaries
that others will recognise.SUNDAY: VALUE YOU
Every time you treat yourself with love, you reinforce being worthy.
“When we value ourselves we attract success and confidence into
our lives,” says Daylle Deanna Schwartz, best-selling author of
Nice Girls Can Finish First. “Make sure you are paid for your skills
and break the habit of giving them away to anyone who asks a
favour. The more you value you, the more other people will.”WEEK
4
MONDAY: HAVE A ‘ME’ DAY
It’s okay to schedule in time for yourself. Dedicate
a little time to yourself every day and occasionally
schedule a whole day to do just as you please.
You may want to include friends in your ‘me’ day
or just take time out to be alone. Pick a day, plan what you will
do and look forward to it – that’s part of the pleasure. Weekends
are easier but it can also be fun to take a day off work for your
own planned play date.TUESDAY: BE SPONTANEOUS
Sometimes it’s fun to leave the chores and do something
spontaneous because you feel like it. When was the last time you did
something on the spur of the moment that you normally wouldn’t,
such as going for a long walk in the country or visiting a theme
park? Being spontaneous keeps life full of possibilities and allows
you to take risks that can sometimes lead to wonderful places.WEDNESDAY: GIVE YOURSELF HUGS
Hugs are good for you – even when you give them to yourself.
Hugging, caressing, stroking and massaging yourself feels good and
can have lingering self-soothing results. Wrap your arms around
you for a minute or two when there’s nobody around. Rub your
arms or shoulders. Stroke your cheeks and massage your feet. Close
your eyes and notice how good and self-loving touch feels.THURSDAY: QUIT COMPARING
Not being the smartest doesn’t make you stupid, and not being
the fastest doesn’t mean you’re the slowest.
“When you compare yourself to others you block self-love,
because you’ll always find someone who makes you fall short,”
says Schwartz. “What you’re not doesn’t make you what you are.”
Appreciate who you are.FRIDAY: TRY NEW THINGS
It’s all too easy to get into a rut, so mix up your routine and try
some new things to boost your confidence and self-esteem. Any
new adventure involves uncertainty, but don’t give up because
you’re too embarrassed to try. Enrol in that class you’ve always
wanted to take, learn another language or instrument, or join Adult
Learning Australia at ala.asn.au.SATURDAY: DROP THE BLAME GAME
Do you find yourself holding other people responsible for what’s
going wrong in your life? Do you complain about the way that
others treat you?
“Nobody can force you to give up your power to choose what you
really want,” says Schwartz. “You may feel helpless, which brings
self-esteem down. But you’re not helpless. You always have support
to lift yourself up, set boundaries and be happier. The more you
nurture self-love, the less you will allow people to treat you poorly.”SUNDAY: DECLUTTER
Clearing out stuff you no longer need helps you clear your head
and feel in control of your environment, says Schwartz.
“As you clear out what you don’t need say to yourself, ‘I am giving
this away to make room for new and better things in my life.’ And
see how you attract new and better goodies into your life.” #Words
Jo Webber
Photography
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