This is a question I have asked myself many times. The answer will be unique each time even though the “situation” might be the same. It all depends on where you are at in any given moment.
Have you ever thought about how you value yourself? We have not usually been taught that we should put attention on ourselves. The messages many of us received were that the idea of putting ourselves first was selfish or arrogant. Those messages along with the natural tendency towards nurturing that women feel and we can find ourselves on the bottom of the heap over and over. Then we wonder why we are exhausted, depleted or resentful.
It all goes back to putting the oxygen mask on first as we are taught by the airline stewardesses!!
- When we are “breathing” we can then be of support to others!
If you move through your day with your focus outward on everyone and everything else you may be neglecting your own energy system. You may get by with that for awhile maybe even decades but it will catch up with you.
What would it look like to put on your own oxygen mask first?
This may take some deeper reflection because this question is relevant in every area of your life.
Start with how you enter your day. Do you take some time just for yourself to center and focus on your day ahead? Do you have a time and space where you can deeply connect with your deeper thoughts and feelings? A place and tools to help you work through the difficult places in your life? Do you have nourishing food in your fridge that you will enjoy during the day? Do you have time to breathe and move in your beautiful body? Is there a conversation that you know you have been avoiding………how do you honor and value yourself in having this conversation? Is there a request you need to make? A boundary you need to set?
We can take this question to every moment of our day.
There are simple steps to take and perhaps ones that take more courage. Start with the simpler ones and build courage each day to take the more challenging ones.
How do you know if you are taking the right step? Keep checking inside. How does it feel? Does your energy/heart feel expanded and lighter or contracted and heavier. There is discernment to be had. Sometimes we have so much fear that even though it may be the step you need to take to value yourself when you check in the terror is bigger than the relief. This may be a time to get support. We do not have to do all this alone.
We can also take babysteps toward the bigger thing. That often works. And sometimes we just have to take the plunge. Again, a gentler way is to gather support around you that will soften the landing.
I hope that you take these blogs into your daily work for yourself. Week by week we unravel the mystery of ourselves. Each week we can find more joy and light as we move out of the heavier layers.
Taking time to sit quietly, to feel and reflect, to meditate and pray are powerful ways to set up a day of Self Value.
As we do the work on the inner planes, it is reflected in the outer planes……….our lives.
Blessed be, melaniej
Check out the upcoming class on EFT to learn a fabulous technique that will assist you on your journey!
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