Let’s Talk About Self-Love

When we think of self-love we often focus on the material aspects; purchasing a new outfit, having a spa day, taking yourself to dinner, etc. These activities can be great at the moment, but true self-love involves growing, healing, and acceptance. Self-love is not just “treating” ourselves, it is deep work. Self-love allows us to accept our weaknesses along with our strengths, gain compassion for ourselves, find meaning within, and live wholeheartedly through our morals and core values.

Below are three tips on how to encourage self-love growth:

  1. Create a healthy and encouraging support system. A good rule of thumb, if you consistently feel drained after spending time with someone- begin creating space. Healthy friendships should uplift, encourage, and inspire you. If you are struggling with finding healthy supports think about; joining a support group, a book club, or if you are religious or spiritual find a group of likeminded people.
  2. Accept your past in order to move forward. The past can often trigger negative feelings about ourselves including, guilt, grief, and shame. Often people fear acceptance, but just because you accept something it does not mean that you agree with it. This type of deep self-learning is very difficult to navigate alone and is best done with a therapist.
  3. Set boundaries with yourself and others. If an idea is proposed to you and it is not an immediate “YES!” on your end, then it should be a no. Give yourself permission to say no, and stand by your decision. The healthy people in your life, will respect your no. If you find you are surrounded by people who get upset when you set a boundary, please refer back to tip one.

Meet Maliya

Hey Hey!!
My name is Maliya, and I am a counselor at Courage Connection. I have been with this dynamic organization since October of 2022. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2018 with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have worked in various settings as a counselor from schools with middle and high school students, a private practice with families and couples, and at the university with college students, and now I am here!

I love doing and teaching yoga. I have danced since the age of 3, doing ballet, tap, gymnastics, hip hop, and modern. I’m really into Metaphysical Science. I desire to travel to many countries and islands; hopefully, I can become a professional traveler. I love being in nature, and sometimes I hug trees!

I teach Kemetic Yoga, an Egyptian-based yoga flow, on Wednesdays at 11:30 am, and I run a support group on Tuesdays at 6 pm! I hope to see you at either one of these groups.