Hello dear friend,
It is great to have you stop by again, I don’t take it for granted that you guys remain present and committed to working on yourselves.
How are you doing today? If like me, you are an adult , I am sure this question cannot be answered in one word but try, put one word to represent your predominant emotion this week.
Our current reality is that we live with pressures that encourage us to show up as perfect, it can be challenging to accept ourselves as we are.
The journey to wellness isn’t always straightforward, and it’s easy to feel inadequate or like we’re not doing enough, especially if you are feasting on well curated Instagram feeds, sponsored by multimillion dollar companies to promote capitalism and consumerism. Pause.
The concept of radical self-love challenges these notions. Radical self-love involves embracing your imperfections, celebrating your unique path, and cultivating a deep, compassionate relationship with yourself.
I remember the first time I encountered the word “radical” I paused to think if I wanted to be associated with it. I had often seen the word used in a derogatory, classist context, and not to describe being brave or courageous for good.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what radical self-love means, why it’s essential for your mental health, and how you can start embracing your own unique journey to wellness.
Radical Self Love
Have you ever loved someone? something? With your whole being, with no question? it changes you.
Loving yourself radically is a transformative way of viewing yourself and your place in the world. It’s the awareness that you are inherently worthy, just as you are, without needing to prove anything to anyone, including yourself. That your existence is proof enough that you were considered and before you were formed, you were loved and provided for.
Being a Christian has endless benefits and this is one of them. Meditate on this verse.
Loving yourself goes beyond self-care practices and into the realm of truly accepting and loving every part of yourself—flaws and all. This I the heavy lifting of inner work and it is compulsory work. You cannot “spa and pedicure” your way to a good life, it will always come back to the systems you have put in place to sustain your wellbeing.
Subscribe to My Newsletter
Unlike self-esteem, which can fluctuate based on external achievements or validation, radical self-love is unconditional and includes a healthy dose of self compassion. It’s understanding that every part of you—your quirks, your mistakes, your triumphs—makes up the beautiful, unique person you are.
Why does Radical Self-Love matter?
Loving yourself creates a person who is able to deliver on their full potential, it enables you to do much more too.
1. Promotes Mental and Emotional Well-being: Radical self-love allows you to release the constant need for external approval and instead find peace and acceptance within yourself. This shift can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy.
2. Fosters Resilience: When you practice radical self-love, you become more resilient. You learn to navigate life’s challenges with a sense of inner strength, knowing that circumstances or setbacks do not determine your worth.
3. Encourages Authentic Living: By embracing who you are, you can live more authentically. You no longer have to hide parts of yourself or pretend to be someone you’re not. This vulnerability within you helps you empathize and connects you with others.
4. Enhances Physical Health: A positive self-view can lead to healthier choices. When you love yourself, you’re more likely to engage in activities that nourish your body, like exercising, eating a healthy balanced diet, having healthy relationships and getting enough rest.
How to Embrace Radical Self-Love
1. Practice Self-Compassion
– Self-compassion involves treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer a friend. When you make a mistake or face a challenge, instead of criticizing yourself, offer words of encouragement and support. Remember, everyone experiences setbacks—it’s part of being human.
2. Challenge Negative Self-Talk
– Pay attention to the way you speak to yourself. If you notice negative or critical thoughts, challenge them. Ask yourself if you would say the same thing to someone you love. Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations that reinforce your worth and capabilities. I suggest you do 10 positives for every negative self talk you identify.
3. Celebrate Your Uniqueness
– Embrace what makes you different. Your quirks, talents, and experiences are what make you unique. Celebrate these aspects of yourself and recognize them as strengths rather than flaws.
4. Set Boundaries
– There is no self love without actively and firmly protecting your energy. Set healthy boundaries that honor your needs and prevent burnout. Learn to say no without guilt and prioritize activities and relationships that uplift you.
5. Cultivate Gratitude
– Focus on what you appreciate about yourself and your life. Keeping a gratitude journal can be a helpful practice. Write down things you’re thankful for, including qualities about yourself that you love or accomplishments you’re proud of, no matter how small.
6. Engage in Activities that Bring Joy
– Spend time doing things that make you happy and bring you joy, without any pressure to be perfect or productive. Whether it’s dancing, painting, cooking, or simply spending time in nature, allow yourself to engage fully and joyfully.
7. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences
– Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you. The company you keep can significantly impact your self-view. Choose to be around those who appreciate you for who you are and encourage your journey to self-love. Love yourself out of toxic situations, stop engaging and remove yourself from such places.
8. Forgive Yourself
– Let go of past mistakes or regrets. Holding onto guilt or shame only harms your well-being. Practice forgiveness—both for yourself and others. Understand that everyone is on their own journey, and mistakes are opportunities for growth.
Embracing Imperfection on Your Wellness Journey
The path to wellness is not linear, and that’s okay. Embracing imperfection means understanding that setbacks, mistakes, and detours are part of the process. Rather than seeing these moments as failures, view them as valuable learning experiences that contribute to your growth.
I read the book “Failing Forward” and it gives you quite an interesting perspective of failure. I realised I learnt much more from my failures than my successes. Using those negative experiences as a stepping stones and jet fuel to power me out of a slump up to a stage .
1. Acknowledge Your Efforts: Recognize the effort you put into your wellness journey, regardless of the outcome. Every step you take towards self-improvement, no matter how small, is worth celebrating, keep doing more steps, don’t give up.
You can Support My Work
2. Let Go of Comparison: Your journey is uniquely yours. Avoid comparing yourself to others, especially on social media, where people often showcase only their highlights. Remember that everyone has their struggles, and your path is just as valid as anyone else’s.
3. Embrace the Journey, Not Just the Destination: Focus on the process rather than the end goal. Enjoy the moments of growth, learning, and self-discovery along the way. Radical self-love is about appreciating where you are right now, even as you work towards where you want to be.
Radical self-love is a powerful practice that requires courage, patience, and dedication. It is a big shift from a mindset of self-criticism to one of self-compassion and understanding. It is betting on yourself every single day, and doing the work required to win the bet, knowing that you are opening yourself up to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
Remember, you are worthy of love and respect just as you are. Your journey to wellness is a testament to your strength and resilience. Celebrate every step, cherish every moment, and most importantly, love yourself radically and unconditionally.
What steps are you taking to embrace radical self-love in your life?
Share your experiences in the comments below, and let’s support each other on this beautiful journey to self-acceptance and wellness.
Until next time, stay authentic,
Stay resilient, and continue to honour your needs.
Live wholeheartedly,
Amaka
2 Cor 3:2(MSG)
You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.
