Last updated on January 22nd, 2019 at 02:09 pm
Three years ago I started a project to help women write what they most needed to hear. It became a network of amazing women that tried to hold each other up in the hard moments. Then even with the divorce, it ran for a second year, the momentum growing. But once I started the cross-country move I wasn’t able to keep up with the project or the magazine. Even though they’re past, both have heart warming stories of inspiring women. I reread them often.
So many of us are waiting for other people to affirm us. We’re waiting to hear certain things from the outside. But it’s far more powerful if we tell ourselves what we need to hear. Who knows what you need better than you?
Recently a brave woman emailed me asking for advice on how to see herself differently. She has done the Work and it’s still not really working. Self-love is a muscle and a practice so I’m giving you this idea to practice loving yourself.
Make yourself a love journal. Find a book or journal that speaks to you. Personalize it with markers, charms, fabric, photos or anything that tickles your fancy. There are no mistakes. This is for you only.
Start writing. Write down the compliments people give you. If you have someone you’re hoping to hear a certain affirmation from, write it to yourself. Write what you’re afraid of followed by a blessing. If you need to vent something negative always follow with just as many sentences of positive. Write compliments from childhood. Write what you know to be true. Write what you hope is true. Make yourself a physical object that you can turn to when you’re hard on yourself.
If you need some inspiration, visit The Inner Beauty Project to read letters from other women. For more here’s the first and second issues of Stark Beauty Magazine. Both are stories of real women overcoming their imperfections and fears.
This is a wonderful gift for a loved one too.
Practice seeking the beauty in yourself and you surely will find it.
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Iman Woods is an American artist who specializes in pin-up photography. Through a unique and therapeutic process, she’s spent over a decade in perfecting, Iman helps women undo the damage from a negative self-image and unrealistic beauty industry expectations. She helps women embrace their own style of beauty and see themselves in a new light. You can find her on her website, ImanWoods[dot]com.
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