Ageless at 50: My Self-Love Secrets
As I turn 50 this February, the month of LOVE, it feels like the perfect opportunity to talk about self-love and its profound impacts on feeling ageless, glowing health, and even creating a more beautiful future.
Our inner critics do more than hold us back from achieving our dreams -- negative self-talk can manifest as health issues, accelerated aging, and even prevent the positive global impact we all long to make.
Groundbreaking research by Dr. Emoto demonstrates that water absorbs the energy from our words, intentions, and emotions. Studies showed loving expressions caused water crystals to form gorgeous, intricate, symmetrical shapes. However, unkind words caused them to deform. Since the human body is around 70% water, this has profound implications for our self-talk. When we speak negatively to ourselves, it negatively impacts the integrity of our physical health and prevents us from exuding a healthy and beautiful glow. Prominent mind-body doctors like Dr. Gabor Maté confirm that this kind of habitual negative inner voice can manifest as inflammation, fatigue, mood issues, accelerated aging, and disease over time. In essence, our unhealthy self-talk holds us back from being the best version of ourselves both emotionally and physiologically.
In addition, neglecting our own needs and boundaries can be a sign of a deeper issue— a lack of self-love. Underlying this is often a feeling of unworthiness that requires us to deepen into self-compassion and to explore the ways in which we are not honoring ourselves.
When I transitioned away from my role as a lawyer, I had to rediscover ways to connect to my self-worth. Engaging in something meaningful and fulfilling, whether it's a full-time job or a passion project, can be a powerful way to cultivate self-love.
The first step in this journey is changing our inner dialogue. Reprogramming our beliefs can take various forms, and for me, affirmations have been a game-changer. They help redirect negative thoughts into positive energy. The key is to genuinely believe in the words you're saying, using any resistance as an opportunity to explore and understand your core beliefs.
Self-love is not only foundational to our health, happiness, vibrance, and manifesting our dreams--it's the cornerstone for loving others and, ultimately, changing the world.
Here are a couple of my favorite ways to cultivate self-love:
I Am App: Daily affirmations are essential for connecting with your dreams and shifting your internal dialogue. This app lets you customize affirmations and sets reminders, offering a fun and effective way to rewrite your story and attract what you desire. Seeing these pop up on my phone throughout my day has been very empowering.
Rose Essence: Known for being very high vibrational, rose is a wonderful plant to deepen your connection with self-love. Whether through rose tea or rose essential oil, this plant has additional benefits like aiding digestion and reducing inflammation. Try making a tea with rose petals, sip it slowly as you connect with your heart, and say your affirmations out loud. I also anoint my heart chakra with rose oil as I say loving affirmations to myself and thank my heart for giving me life. One simple affirmation is: I LOVE AND ACCEPT MYSELF AS I AM.
Rhodonite: A crystal with incredible properties for nurturing self-love. I like to lay with it over my heart, meditate with it, and keep it by my bed.
clears, heals, and activates the heart chakra
releases emotional wounds/trauma fostering forgiveness & healing
dispels anxiety and panic providing grounded stability
promotes self-worth and dissolves feelings of inadequacy
fosters compassion and gentleness with self and others
encourages emotional maturity aiding in setting healthy boundaries
attracts soulmates by healing emotional wounds and fostering maturity
May this month be filled with moments of self-discovery, compassion, and the joy of embracing your authentic self! I would love to hear from you in the comments below…what is one simple way you will nurture your self-love this month?
With Love,