All parts of you
You are worthy of love.
That means all of you. Every single part of you.
There are some parts of yourself that you might find easier to accept and love. They are probably the parts that meet a specific standard that your family, community or society set for you. We have all been told stories that dictate what is required to be worthy.
Then, there are other parts of you that you feel that you have to change, deny, overextend, or suppress. They’re the parts of you that feel hurt, ignored, lost, ashamed, confused, overwhelmed, angry, and scared. And they, too, are worthy — and they are yearning to receive love from you.
Here is one way to do this.
First, think about a difficult experience you’ve had lately. This could be a conflict with a loved one, a moment of difficult emotions, or a persistent challenge.
Now, imagine that you can connect with the part of you that was struggling in that moment.
Can you extend love to that part of you? Take a minute to consider what that might look like.
∙ It could be spoken words like “I forgive you,” or “I’m here for you,” or “That was a really hard moment.”
∙ It might be a felt sense of acceptance and understanding, offering the gentle recognition that you’re human, too.
∙ You could write that part of you a letter or note or a message.
∙ You could use your body, focusing on your breath or giving yourself a hug.
If you're not sure what to do, think of how you would comfort a loved one in the same scenario.
Truly, this part of you is a loved one of yours; it's just one you have become disconnected from. As with any other relationship with any other loved one, it's built through repeated action over time. Start today, knowing that you are creating a new, more loving relationship with all of you.
