Self love.
I was recently invited to talk at a wonderful women’s event.
And in this talk I spoke about life after trauma and self love. The self love part of the talk was a visualisation exercise, and I would love to share this with you.
Because maybe you have negative connotations about what self-love means? Maybe you have never felt it or understand how it should feel?
And with my experience of all the hundreds of women I have met and photographed over the years, this exercise has been developed.
So thank you Red Shoe Queens... you created this.
When you are ready....
I would like you to imagine I have just given you the most beautiful portrait you have ever seen of yourself. You look happy, content, comfortable in your own skin... you look confident.
It’s like it’s the 1st time you have ever truly seen yourself.
And you are in awe of this woman. You know everything that she has been through in her life... and look at her! Smiling back at you and loving you with whole heart.
And now, I would like you to remember all the times you called her fat.
The times you denied her food.
Gave her the wrong food.
Told her if she had the drink it would make her more confident at the event.
The times you told her she was unloveable.
The times you told her she couldn’t wear that dress... who did she think she was?
The times you called her stupid.
The times you told her friends how much of a mess she was and her life was embarrassing.
The times you listed why she was a failure.
I want you to think about the times she whispered her hopes and dreams with you.
And you shut her down.
Told her she was ridiculous.
And there she is, still smiling back at you. Because she loves you with her whole heart.
Now imagine that portrait is you at 10 years old. What kind of woman did she need in her life? What would you say to her?
Now imagine that portrait is you from 10 years ago. What would you say to her?
Now it’s back to you... today. What message would you say to her?
The portrait has changed to you 10 years from now. What would you say to her?
And now stood in front of you is your 90 year old self. She looks at you with so much love in her eyes. She brings you in for the biggest hug, in your life you have never felt so much love from a hug. She steps back, cups your face in her hands, looks you in the eyes and what does she say to you....? ———————————————-
And that my darling is self love. This is the bases of all love from you, around you, and received back to you. Much love to you today xx