Pregnancy and motherhood change women's bodies and souls. While some upheavals are not irreversible, others leave marks that we have to learn to live with and love again. Self-love is all about this. The passage of time and its effects, life and its imprint, but in spite of it all, self-love is stronger than all.
CONTENTS :
- First, a definition: what is self-love?
- Pregnancy, postpartum and self-love: how do you put it all together?
- Self-image, the mirror of self-love
- Cultivating self-love, against all odds
First, a definition: what is self-love?
Literally , self love means loving yourself. But this concept, halfway between personal development and spirituality, goes much further. Above all, self-love is the full, unabashed acceptance of who you really are.
To practice self-love is to stop blaming yourself, bullying yourself, blaming yourself or wanting to change yourself. Self-love is the unconditional love you have for your baby, applied to yourself..
As such, self-love is particularly important during pregnancy and afterwards, throughout the post-partum period, when the female body and mind are put to the test, subject to many changes and frequently to exhaustion.
Pregnancy, postpartum and self-love: how do you put it all together?
The aches and pains of pregnancy - nausea, vomiting, constipation, varicose veins or vaginal discharge - take women through different states of different states that are more or less easy to live with and more or less kind to their image. While the second trimester of pregnancy is often the most enjoyable, the first and last are generally marked by severe fatigue and its accompanying signs: dull hair, dark circles, blurred complexion...
After birth, during the post-partum periodBleeding, bladder weakness and hair loss can be difficult to cope with. Add to this the weight of pregnancy, the often different body from now on and the lack of time for oneself... an imbalance is easily created between the image the young mother perceives of herself and what she really is.
Self-love is used here as a form of personal therapy to be implemented as early as possible, and consists of real and unconditional self-love, whatever the stage of life.at every stage of life.
Note that self-love has nothing to do with selfishness or egocentricity. On the contrary, it's about loving yourself as much as you love others. It's about giving your needs and priorities the same urgency as theirs. Because to love others well, you have to start by loving yourself.
Self-image, the mirror of self-love
Sometimes self-love is innate, but most of the time it's something you have to work at. For everyone, it needs to be cultivated. Closely related to self-confidence, this powerful feeling is rooted in childhoodIt's a powerful feeling that's rooted in childhood, but is often under-valued.
In 2021, the brand TheBodyShop, in a study of which it has the secret, puts self-love at 53/100. Women report feeling more nervous, anxious and depressed than men, while 6 out of 10 people worldwide want to feel more self-respect. Respondents also report that social media and the beauty industry have a negative influence on their self-image.
Fortunately, the "mommy internet" is gradually breaking down the pre-established codes of motherhood and asserting to anyone who will listen that all is not rosy and that nothing is normal anymore.. So, if you're feeling like you're not doing enough, that you're not strong enough, capable enough, efficient enough or beautiful enough... your need for self-love is urgent.
While motherhood is undoubtedly the most upheavaling time in a woman's life, and while there is as much to learn as there is to question, it can also be a time of deteriorating self-image. This is known as disaffection. Post-partum depression is closely linked to this condition.
Acceptance and objectivity
To avoid post-partum depression and, more generally, to enjoy life to the full, self-love and self-esteem are two essential pillars.. Here are three tips to try out.
Becoming her best friend
When your best friend needs you, you're there. You comfort him or her, you tell him or her that everything's going to be all right and that no, he or she hasn't messed up. Make the same allowances for yourself!
Praise yourself often
Every day, you achieve great things. Between a professional success and a bonding moment spent with your child, be proud of your positive actions and keep them in mind in anticipation of those little "blues".
Always respect yourself
Have we made you an offer? If you're interested, so much the better. If not, don't be afraid to say no, and respect your feelings and opinions. If you don't, how can you expect others to?
Freedom from outside scrutiny
Other people's opinions are just one of many, and they take second place to your own. Whatever you do, whatever you decide, you'll always find someone who thinks otherwise. Put outside opinions aside and become your own judge.
Cultivating self-love, against all odds
As you can see, practicing self-love means loving yourself, offering yourself indulgence, kindness and understanding on a daily basis. As a mother or mother-to-be, it's also about allowing yourself to feel tired, fed up, crying, delegating to your partner or needing to let go and get some fresh air without waiting, without feeling guilty.
Yet in everyday life, self-love often takes a back seat. Here are three tried-and-tested tips to help you on the road to self-discovery.
Start a self love notebook and write down why you love each other
If you like mantras, positive quotes and feel-good Post-it notes, you'll love the self love notebook. Start in the first few months of pregnancy, even before the first physical and hormonal changes, and before you start asking yourself too many questions.
After covering the reasons for self-love, its usefulness and the basics of positive psychology, the self-love workbook offers a host of practical exercises. Inside you'll find everything you need to love, respect and honor your female body, love the person you are and embrace her fully. fully.
Treat yourself to a photo session and find yourself beautiful
To take a good look at your body, what could be better than a self-love photo session under the eye of a professional photographer? To help you seeo see your body in a new light, highlight its assets and leave with a smile on your face.photography has no equal.
Pregnancy photos to immortalize your baby's arrival, or portrait photos after his or her birth, choose the session that's right for you and let us guide you.
Finding inspiration in personal development literature
Self-love literature is full of encouraging titles, and here are a few often-recommended references:
- Mon livre oracle Self Love - Pour oser l'amour de soi et se révéler ; Elodie Leclercq et Justine Criquioche-Louveau aux éditions Le Courrier du Livre
- Guérir de ses blessures affectives; John Gray aux éditions J'ai Lu
- Estime de soi, confiance en soi, amour de soi - Les trois piliers du succès : Patrice Ras aux éditions Jouvence
These books offer a step-by-step approach to the concept, a theoretical and detailed apprenticeship, a sort of "How To self love" or "Comment apprendre à s'aimer" that can be pleasant to when the need arises..
To conclude
How do I practice self-love?Self-love is practiced by showing kindness, positivity and gentleness to yourself.
How to cultivate self-loveTo cultivate self-love, start by taking time for yourself, letting go of anything you're not in control of, congratulating yourself on your successes and focusing on the best thing about yourself.
How to set up a self-love routine during pregnancy?To accompany the physical changes, fatigue and doubts associated with pregnancy, treat yourself to pampered moments, time just for you, a photo session, a hair appointment, whatever makes you happy, and celebrate! You who are about to give birth.
