Embracing Your Uniqueness and Inner Temple
I am reading this book, Worthy, by Jamie Kern Lima, and it has changed how I think we should start our journey of healthy living. We need to believe we have value, that we deserve to have the life we desire. As Jamie puts in her book, "Hiding your uniqueness might feel safe, but you won't ever be able to impact and serve the world the way you're created to." Let that sink in for a minute....
Each day, we are bombarded with messages about success, appearance, and status. It can be overwhelming, and many can feel undervalued. But let’s turn that around! Don't hide your uniqueness! You are unique, and your individuality is invaluable. It’s time to shift your mindset so you can celebrate every aspect of who you are.
Let’s explore how to honor your individuality and treat yourself like the magnificent temple you truly are.
Understanding Your Worth
The journey to self-worth starts with understanding that your value comes from within. It comes from knowing who you are and that you are loved. It is not shaped by others’ opinions, social media likes or your successes and failures.
Jamie writes that "We Become What We Believe". We are all prone to comparison without the addition of social media in our lives, which has made it even worse. This comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Instead, focus on your unique journey—even those experiences of embarrassment and failure. Remind yourself that you have experiences, strengths and qualities that are solely yours and those have shaped you into who you are today.
Engaging in positive self-talk can make a significant difference. If you catch yourself being overly critical, challenge those thoughts. Look in the mirror and say out loud, "I am unique, and I have been given gifts and strengths that make me special." This affirmation can help build a solid foundation for a positive self-image.
Embracing Your Uniqueness
Your uniqueness is your superpower. Each person has their own blend of experiences, talents, and quirky traits that shape who they are. Recognizing and embracing this means honoring what makes you, you.
Taking time daily for a morning devotion or writing in a gratitude journal can really be a way to shift how your mind views and responds to the world. In your gratitude journal you could even take it a step further and include some days specifically focused on you. For example, write down three attributes you love about yourself—be it your creativity, sense of humor, or resilience. Revisit your list regularly; this practice can shift your mindset from comparison to celebration. Give me a happy dance and a big "Woohoo!"
Treating Yourself as a Temple
Think of your body and mind as sacred vessels deserving of reverence, care and respect. Treating yourself like a temple means you will be very particular about how you regard it.
What does self-care mean for you? This could be giving yourself some much needed rest. So often we just go and go, burning the midnight oil and not letting our bodies rejuvenate. Self-care doesn't have to be extravagant. It could be indulging in a 30-minute relaxation bath, spending an hour on a creative hobby, carving out quiet time with a good book or honoring a day of rest where you are not working. Respecting your mental space is crucial, as we cannot serve others if we do not care for ourselves first.
Don't overlook the importance of nutrition and exercise. Studies show that eating a balanced diet can increase energy levels by up to 20%. Engaging in regular physical activity, preferably out where you can take in the beauty and sounds of nature, not only enhances your mood but also helps you feel more connected to your body, honoring the temple that it is.
Celebrating Your Achievements
We often overlook our successes, focusing instead on what we still need to achieve, or even worse—our failures. Whether accomplishments or failures, big or small, they all count toward your growth and steps toward achievement.
Make it a habit to celebrate your wins. When you do hard things, celebrate! Yes, I'm talking a happy dance and a loud "Woohoo" again. It's the immediate reward that ignites your brain to start believing you like doing whatever that hard task is. Once you reach a goal, such as completing a full week of your meal plan or you've made rest a priority, treat yourself with a bigger reward, like maybe that book I've been quoting throughout this whole read. This creates a ritual that honors your efforts.
Make it a habit to celebrate your failures. Yes, this is a hard one! According to Jamie, "You have the power to transform rejection and failure from experiences you dread to ones that you embrace freely." I don't want to give away Jamie's secrets, but you have it in you to make failure something to celebrate rather than dread. When you realize that you can redefine failures and give them new meaning, you can celebrate them as one step closer to achievement.
By acknowledging your achievements and the steps you took to reach them, you solidify your value in tangible ways. Even small victories help cultivate a deeper connection with your self-worth.
Creating Boundaries
To honor your temple, it's essential to set healthy boundaries. Just like a temple requires walls for protection, your mental and emotional well-being needs limits.
Identify areas in your life where you feel overcommitted—whether in relationships, at work, or in social gatherings. Learning to say "no" when necessary is empowering. For instance, if attending a particular event drains your energy, consider skipping it. Each time you protect your personal time, you reinforce your self-worth.
As for those relationships that drain you, consider changing how you view that person. Just as you're changing how you view your worth, maybe you need to do the same for them. Yes, creating boundaries about how much time you spend with them may still be necessary, but maybe they need to be shown love in a way that shows their value. I had a friend many years ago tell me that when certain people annoy her she tells herself that Jesus loves them and so she should love them, too. That changes how you view that person because, in actuality, we are all temples, right?
Establishing boundaries takes practice, but it creates the space you need to flourish without unnecessary stressors weighing you down.
Surrounding Yourself with Positivity
The company we keep plays a significant role in how we view ourselves. Surround yourself with individuals who uplift and celebrate you. Quality friendships can enhance your self-perception, motivating you to embrace your uniqueness.
Engage with supportive friends who recognize your achievements, however small they may seem. I'm so thankful for those friends who are not just supportive, but who are positive and say nice, complementary things about me. I'm not fishing for complements, nor are they buttering me up. They are seeing my value and expressing their love for me and that boosts my spirits! We need to hear that—and we need to be that friend to others so they are surrounded by positivity, too.
Additionally, consider decluttering your physical space. A clean environment can improve focus and reduce anxiety. Keep items that inspire you, creating a sanctuary that honors your inner temple.
Your Personal Journey to Worth
Building a mindset focused on value and self-worth isn't a one-time effort; it is a lifelong process. We ALL struggle with self-doubt. When you embrace your uniqueness and treat yourself like a cherished temple, you create a nurturing space within yourself filled with respect and gratitude.
Start implementing these practices today. Remember, you are a remarkable individual designed with great care and intent who deserves love, compassion, and recognition.
So go on, celebrate your uniqueness! Treat yourself with the respect you deserve, because you are truly worth it!
InCourage, my friends!
Dani
For those that are looking to make lifelong lifestyle and health changes, fill out this application to schedule a free consult with Coach Dani of InCourage Health, LLC. Sometimes we need a little support and accountability to make changes stick. Please address any other inquiries to incourage@incourage-health.com.
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