We all know how easy it is to slip into the self-hatred rabbit hole--normally leading into the dreaded 'Slump' and the even more dreaded weight gain. While yes, this slip is inevitable for all of us, what goes down must come back up--or something like that. These are 5 easy tips to help speed up the process, and start loving yourself right now!
1. MOVE
If you’re reading this article right now, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve been reading similar articles for the past 10 minutes (read: hours). One of the easiest ways to quit feeling so blah is simply to move. Blast some music, (I suggest ‘Congratulations’ by Post Malone…or ‘Summertime’ by New Kids on the Block--whatever your jam is!), get up, and shake your booty!
Not into dancing? Crank out 50 jumping jacks. It doesn’t matter what you do, an increase in motion is bound to bring your heart rate up and send out a wave of endorphins--a sure fire way to put a big smile on your face. After all, it’s almost impossible to hate yourself after burning a few calories!
2. Do your part
Fun fact: Remember when Dawn did that big campaign after the BP oil spill depicting a cleanup team using their dish soap to remove the oil from the little duckling’s feathers? They definitely weren’t BS-ing. The brand is gentle enough to remove grease from small animals, and is also soft enough to clean your luscious locks. The best part? It doesn’t cause any damage to our oceans like many mainstream shampoos and conditioners. Doing your part to make the earth a little happier is bound to have the same effect on you, and it doesn’t have to be nearly as hard as you think!
3. Do the opposite
Studying insanely hard for your chemistry exam have you stressed? Take a break. Procrastinating studying for your chemistry exam have you stressed? Crack open your books. Munching on potato chips got you feeling guilty? Grab an apple. Been eating clean for weeks? Eat the damn cookie. Sometimes the easiest way to tackle overcoming that little twinge of self-hatred is just to mix up your current routine. Go back to your diet first thing in the morning, throw the lab notes out your window tomorrow…actually, don’t do that. The point is, the key to finding new ways to love yourself may be as easy as mixing up your daily routine.
4. Masturdate
Read that again. The term refers to taking yourself out on a date without the company of another person. None of your friends are down to see the new Beauty and the Beast movie? Go solo! Been dying to try that fondue restaurant? There’s no reason you can’t go alone. Overcome the fear of looking ‘lame’ sitting by yourself and do something that YOU want to do! Embracing alone time and becoming your own best friend is a huge step toward drowning yourself in self-love, subsequently leading to getting out of that nasty ‘woe is me’ attitude.
5. Create
Create anything: DIY the latest Pinterest obsession, journal your thoughts, crank out that English paper you’ve been avoiding, finally start that beauty channel on YouTube, cook something yummy, jot down a brand-new workout routine, the possibilities are endless. You don’t have to be creative to innovate. Pushing yourself into getting creative literally will lead to getting creative metaphorically, and could result in discovering new ways to start loving yourself!
Like I said, falling into the 'Wow I hate myself, I'm fat, I hate my hair, I wish I was 'X, Y, Z'' is 100% inevitable. But next time the ego-death gets the best of you, try taking yourself out or going for a run. Long story short; follow these tips, make like Big Sean, and always bounce back.
