Often, it is easy to get lost in thoughts of self-doubt and negativity.
Underneath the feelings of doubt, insecurity, and negativity typically lies a deeper truth: you don’t feel worthy of love.
It’s safe to assume societal ideals have conditioned you to believe that you should always strive to be “better.”
By “better,” it often means happier, richer, smarter, thinner—you get the gist.
It is very rare that you are made to believe that you are enough just as you are.
When your inner critic creeps in and tells you that you will never be happy or successful or that you are not worthy, pause, rest, and breathe.
This is where practicing meditation can come in handy.
A self-love meditation allows you to reconnect with your heart.
It allows you to remember that you are worthy of love, especially your own love.
Stepping Into Self-Love: Guided Meditation
Before starting your self-love meditation, make yourself comfortable first.
You can either lie on your back or sit comfortably.
Once you are settled, close your eyes and tune into your breath.
Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
Take full deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
As you breathe, become aware of the quality of your mind and the state of your body.
Where can you feel tension in your body?
Do you feel shut down or closed off emotionally?
Where is your mind heading?
Is it wandering or at home within breath?
Is your mind filled with negativity, doubt, and restlessness?
Or is it at peace and at ease?
Place both your hands over your heart and continue to inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
Ask yourself one important question: How does it feel to place my hands on my heart, the place where I experience love for myself and others?
With each exhale, imagine releasing all the doubt and negativities that are lingering in your mind.
Continue to focus on your breath.
Each time you inhale, tell yourself “I am worthy.”
Each time you exhale, tell yourself “I am enough.”
Each time you inhale, draw in self-love and each time you exhale, release everything that is no longer serving you.
Take a few minutes to breathe and recite self-love mantras.
Notice how you feel as you tell yourself those words.
Visualise yourself standing in front of a mirror and looking into your own eyes.
What do you see?
Do you see love and joy?
Do you see pain and sadness?
Regardless of what you see in the reflection, tell yourself, “I love you, you are beautiful and you are worthy of happiness.”
Imagine breathing love into your heart and visualise love pouring out of your hands and into your heart.
Let the warmth of your love warm your body and permeate from your heart center.
Allow it to fill the rest of your body.
Allow a sense of calm and comfort travel up through your chest, into your neck and head, out into your arms, hands, and shoulder, then down your ribs, pelvis, legs, and feet.
Allow the sensation of love to fill you from head to toe.
Breathe in and acknowledge that love is always available for you when you need it.
Take a few more deep and mindful breaths and then open your eyes slowly.
Sit for a few moments to appreciate the unique experience you have had during the meditation process.
Repeat the meditation each time you need to create a loving experience for yourself.
Over to You
Meditation is a great opportunity to learn something new about yourself. It is also a great opportunity to tune into your emotional and physical needs. Allow self-love to enable you to build a loving relationship with yourself and allow you to show up more fully in the game of life.