Working on Self-Love

Early this morning, while mindlessly scrolling social media, I read a smart post on Instagram from brilliant Emily McDowell. This post on her Insta account (see below) really resonated with me: 

For so long I found myself searching for some sort of external validation, just like Ms. McDowell wrote about, in hopes of some support and of bit of loving attention. In reality, I was struggling with some tough personal things. While swimming through the mess, I found that I didn't trust myself. I didn't have the right supports in place I needed. I didn't love myself. In turn, I have recently realized that searching for external validation just made me ache more. 

I'm slowly learning that I don't need external validation. I need to listen to myself. I need to love myself. I need to trust myself. I need to keep writing, reflecting. I need to keep talking to professionals. I need to be kind and gentle with myself.  

Friends, this is not easy work. 

Ms. McDowell's suggestion to text a beautiful message to myself makes so much sense. I realized that it is another thing that I can do, especially when I am in need.

Today I'm thankful she put these words out in the world. In response, I wrote the double Haiku below: 

Texts, emails sent for-/

external validation/

increased my heartache.

Self-love required/

for radical, loving change.

Gentle, kind message.