Self-love is a journey, not a destination. There are many, many ways to bring body positivity into your life — and having inspiring, uplifting mantras to remind yourself of all the ways you're awesome is a powerful part of that.
I'm personally VERY here for self-love, and all the ways we can get there. In fact, I tell myself that I live at 1515 "I Look Great Today" Avenue.
Yeah, I went there. You could do the same, and here's one better: You *should* do the same. Here are 15 body-positive mantras to boost your mind, body, and spirit.
"Thank you."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. "
Your body is not to be taken for granted, and an attitude of gratitude will take you far. Say thank you for the way your heart beats and your fingers pick up quarters.
I don't want to rhyme. I don't want to be corny. But here we are, rhyming and being corny. Say it out loud to yourself and the universe — "Thank you for allowing me to be me."
"Yes I can."
When I'm running on the treadmill and I'm losing steam…
When I get halfway through a 600-page book and I feel like I can't finish it…
And especially when I'm told I can't make my bag fit into the overhead compartment…
"YES. I. CAN."
You can do so much in this life. Start from a place of confidence, and you'll move mountains.
"I am powerful."
I am grateful for the power my body generates. Think about the strength your body has to move you around throughout the day.
Your body is a force of nature. Celebrate that.
"I'm just getting started."
Being human means being a work in progress. But instead of focusing on all the ways you need to be MORE, focus on how much progress you've made — and what you're GOING to do.
Because being a work in frickin' progress means you've done WORK. You don't know how far you're gonna go. You most likely have lost sight of how far you've come.
Keep at it — you've got so much more to see, bb.
"I've got great...(fill in the blank)"
Compliment yourself daily. Compliment your mind, your body, your personality — but make it genuine.
For example: I've got naturally muscular arms. They respond to exercise almost immediately. I'm so, so happy for the strong muscle in my arms because they make me feel like I could defend myself.
There's no compliment too big or too small to give yourself, as long as you truly mean it.
"Abundance abounds."
"Abundance abounds." Say it five times right now.
When you come from a place of abundance, abundance finds you.
Even when your funds aren't looking so abundant, love yourself and others with abundance. The universe is already working for you, girl. I promise you.
"I am splendid and magnificent."
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of "Eat, Pray, Love," spoke to Oprah on Supersoul Conversations about a fan who was having a self-esteem crisis.
Gilbert told the fan, "You are splendid and magnificent" — a compassion-filled mantra that everyone should say to themselves every single day.
Treat yourself like Elizabeth Gilbert would treat you!
"I'm not defined by my body."
Your body does not define you.
Your weight does not define you.
Your size, shape, measurements, BMI — none of those define you.
Your worth is not defined by your looks. You are valued by others for so much more than that. Kindness, compassion, and love — for yourself and for others — that's your legacy.
"As you are."
I am about to bless your life. This passage from Nayyirah Waheed's poem "As you are" is so beautiful, I pray you never forget it:
‘as you are.’ says the universe.
'after…’ you answer.
'as you are.’ says the universe.
'before…’ you answer.
'as you are.’ says the universe.
'when…’ you answer.
'as you are.’ says the universe.
'how…’ you answer.
'as you are.’ says the universe.
'why…’ you answer.
'because
you are happening now.
right now.
right at this moment
and
your happening
is beautiful.
the thing that keeps me alive
and
brings me to my knees.
you don’t even know how breathtaking you
are.
as you are.’ says the universe through tears
—–
AS. YOU. ARE. Say it daily. Remember its truth.
"It's OK to be sad sometimes."
Allow yourself to feel your feelings — but also remind yourself that feelings never last forever. Repeating to yourself, "It's OK to be sad sometimes" is a way to cover both fronts.
Express your emotional self, even sadness. But know that it won't last forever.
"Let me do me."
Do you.
Do you. Indulge yourself. Take time for yourself. Get away from people if that's what you want. Your heart is your compass. Do not disobey what you feel!
"Let it go."
It's not just a song from "Frozen."
What would happen to your life, to your anger, to your body image if you let it all go? Letting go of expectations, of negativity, and of pain, is powerful — and restorative. Is your stomach the most important thing in your life? No.
So let it go, whatever is holding you back.
"I will allow myself the space to sort through my feelings."
Sometimes external influences disrupt our internal value system. Things outside of us can start weighing on our spirit.
Stop, take inventory, and proceed with caution.
Are you really angry because that woman cut you off? Perhaps. But maybe if you scratched a little deeper you'd realize you've been in a funk since your boss sent you that passive-aggressive email.
Start calling on your emotional toolbox to de-cloud your self-judgment.
"Just do it."
Do the thing. Run the mile. Go to the class. Wash the dishes, your face, your car.
Do it.
Yes, it's a Nike slogan — but it's also good advice. We often get in our own ways, and sometimes the best motivator is action. Once you do one thing, you'll realize the next step isn't so impossible.
Just do it.
"I forgive myself for accepting less than I deserved... and I won't do it again."
Be it in romantic relationships or career negotiations, acceptance for the mistakes we made is so important. If we can forgive everyone else, isn't it time we forgive ourselves?
Exactly. Compassion is only valuable as far as you extend it to yourself. Remind yourself of this with the first part of this mantra.
Now, part two — remind yourself that you don't have to settle for less than you deserve ever again. When you know better, you do better. Learn from your mistakes, and choose to do better. Because you deserve amazing things.
