SL 365 | Day 44 | Self-Love, without the Side of Guilt

You know what's fun? Eating what you love. Importantly, if we are practicing self-love--yes, even in our eating habits--then we don't just get to eat what we love; we get to eat what we love and NOT feel guilty about it. Yes, please! The practice of giving yourself a "self-love feast" at every meal begins, like many other areas we've talked about, with noticing. What do you feel like eating? What sounds good in the moment? What is available and/or easy to prepare? Listen to your body and give it the food it's asking for. Next, pause before you actually eat and notice the plate: how it looks, what it makes you feel, how pretty or colorful or aromatic it is... Then, EAT IT (obvi). And then, pay attention once again. How do you feel after eating? Does lethargy hit you an hour after this meal? Maybe you consider having it at another time of day when you crave it again in the future. Do you have so much energy you're bouncing off the walls? Maybe that's a better meal for breakfast than it is for dinner! Listen, here's the thing the media and diet culture doesn't want you to know: YOU are the expert on YOU. You know what tastes good, and you know how different foods make you feel. You simply have to stay aware and stay flexible. There's no wrong way or right way to eat, unless you're eating with guilt. That's no bueno. We can't have a Self-Love Feast with a side of guilt. So, say good-bye to shame & secrecy, and invite in communication & self-talk instead. Listen. Pay Attention. Eat Well.