Ten Steps to Loving Yourself

1. Stop all Criticism- Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself your changes are positive.

2. Don’t Scare Yourself-Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure and immediately switch your thoughts to pleasant one’s.

3.Be Gentle, Kind and Patient- treat yourself with patience, gentleness and kindness. Treat yourself as you would someone whom you loved.

4. Be Kind to Your Mind-Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Gently change your thoughts to more loving ones.

5. Praise Yourself-Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it. Tell yourself how well you are doing with everything.

6. Support Yourself-Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it most.

7.Be Loving to Your Negatives-Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are finding new positive ways to fulfill those needs. Release the old patterns.

8. Take Care of Your Body-Learn about nutrition. What does your body need to have the optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. Cherish the temple you live in.

9. Mirror Work-Look into your eyes often. Express the growing sense of love you feel for yourself. Forgive yourself for all as you look into the mirror. Once a day say “I love you” at yourself in the mirror.

10. Do It Now-Don’t wait till you get well, lose weight or get a new job. Begin now, do the best you can.

Taken from "Creating a Positve Approach" by Louise Hay