Why we need to love ourselves... First.

Can you feel it?
 
Spring has certainly Sprung. And even though we may still have some chilly mornings, the season has changed. 
 
Maybe you are wondering, what the heck happened to the New Year?
Sorry sweetheart…It’s over. Yep, just like that.
 
Did you slay your resolutions? Have you lost the 20 lbs.? Did you give up {insert the vice that makes you feel bad about yourself}?
 
I know right now I am serving up some HARSH TRUTHS, but have no fear, I never leave you hanging.
 
The New Year sets us up for failure.  Mmm hmmm, that’s right.  How, you might ask? Well, picture this… 
You are coming off of a month-long party of alcohol, cookies, and over spending. Consider this an unbalanced state.  Then you decide on January 1styou are going to make a change.  Instead of making small doable actions over time, you decide to course correct BIG TIME by living on salad and a quarter of your paycheck, another unbalanced state.  You CANNOT sustain this and it literally falls to poo, because you cannot undo longstanding habits in the matter of a month; in fact, neuroscience tells us it takes lots, and lots, and lots of work coupled with time to retrain our brain. 
When we don’t do that, the result is ALWAYS the same:  we fall hard, going back to the vice, feeling bad about ourselves, and we further create a narrative about how this is hard, we will never change, and  I’m doomed…
 
Listen up…DON’T YOU BELIEVE THAT BULLSH*%#T!!!
 
What you need is a plan, and the plan starts with a little kindness and acceptance of yourself. What? Courtney you ask…. “shouldn’t I start drinking 100 oz. of water immediately? Isn’t there a boot camp I need to enroll in?” NOPE!  Read my lips…YOU NEED TO LOVE YOURSELF FIRST!
Before you ask me “what kind of hippy dippy stuff are you spewing Court,” hear me out.
 
When we get to a certain age, we get really wired into believing our stories, and often, especially when we are struggling, our stories are tied to shame, guilt, frustration, even self-hatred.  There are not enough burpees in the world to fix that darlin’.  NOPE.  You must learn to be okay with yourself, with who you are, RIGHT NOW.  
 
Here are 3 steps to get you started, but they only work if you do them…. CONSISTENTLY.

1. Start listening to your inner voice. What is she saying to you?  Is she a cheerleader or a mean girl?  I’m going to bet the ladder and YOU have to shut her down, real quick.
2. Move Mindfully; Every. Single. Day.  Go outside for just a 10-minute walk, let it be mindful.  Feel good on this walk and be present. (I am making this easier because I have a LIVE meditation happening on Friday 4/12/19 at 12pm EST).
3. Be Grateful. Every day I name 4 things that I am grateful for.  One day it was Gigi’s Cupcakes in East Lansing…but I digress. But seriously though what are the small things in life that bring you joy. Your family, your pet. Say thank you….

 
This all may sound simple but see if you can do this consistently for the next week.  And don’t forget, this Friday I will be Live at 12 Noon for a quick moving meditation.
 
Best,
 
Courtney
 
P.S. Sharing is caring…. Know someone that can use this message? Please forward it along, because we are all in this together.