Embrace Your Brilliance: A Journey of Self-Love
In today’s world, we often feel pressure to conform to social norms, making finding the courage to embrace our unique selves a daunting challenge. Yet, it's precisely in our individuality that we discover our true power and purpose! Ilona Maher (member of the 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medal winning USA Women’s Rugby Team) said recently at the 2024 Paris Olympics, "You are enough, exactly as you are. The most powerful thing you can do is step into your truth and own it.". These words serve as an influential reminder that our worth is inherent and unconditional.
I love that Ilona has been so outspoken about self-love. She shared a story about how since she’s always been a bigger girl, she was bullied as a kid. It took her some time to find a place where she and her body could thrive, and that thing was rugby. Her slogan, “Every body type can be an Olympian”.
I too remember being teased for my size. Often called chicken legs, I developed a little bit of anxiety about a part of my body I have no control over. I had skinny legs, so I started working out with a sports performance trainer to help me strengthen my skinny legs, and now they are one of my favorite things about myself. I have strong, powerful, skinny legs, and I love them!
Not all bodies are the same, not all mindsets are the same, not all perspectives are the same, nor should they be! By recognizing your intrinsic worth, celebrating your quirks, qualities, and flaws, stepping into the spotlight of authenticity, and embracing your value and what you bring to the world, you can celebrate the incredible person you are.
Ilona Maher's message resonates deeply because it encourages us to let go of the need for external validation and find acceptance within ourselves. By embracing our brilliance, we not only unlock our own happiness and self-love, but also inspire others to do the same.
Why Self-Love Matters
Self-love is the foundation upon which we build our lives. It's the belief in our capabilities, the acceptance of our flaws, and the celebration of our strengths. When we embrace ourselves fully, we open doors to:
Boost Confidence: Self-love empowers us to step into our potential without fear by not letting fear be in control. In times of failure or frustration, self-love reminds us that those failures or frustrations don’t define us and that we are still capable.
Improve Relationships: Authenticity fosters deeper connections with others. By being true to ourselves and presenting our genuine selves to the world, we create a space for deeper, more meaningful relationships. For example, when we are true to ourselves, our relationships and trust with our teammates deepen allowing us to perform freely.
Increase Resilience: Embracing our flaws makes us stronger in the face of challenges. You’ve heard me say before, our flaws, mistakes, and missteps are the stepping stones to success and accomplishment. Try and find the good parts of your flaws, and like I did, learn to love that part of yourself.
Unlock Creativity: When we feel secure in our own skin, our creativity flourishes, our confidence soars, and we aren’t worried about outside judgment or criticism. By being less worried, we’re able to be more creative because we’re more comfortable and confident.
How to Embrace Your Brilliance
Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would a dear friend. Giving yourself grace is one of my go-tos, and reminds me to be kind to myself.
Challenge Negative Thoughts: Identify self-critical thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. This is an important habit to build, not only for self-love, but for confidence, motivation, and focus as well. You might find it benefits you to rephrase your negative thoughts in the moment (i.e. “I can’t wear this, it doesn’t look good on me”, to, “I love this shirt and I can’t wait to wear it”!) as well as during moments of reflection.
Celebrate Your Uniqueness: Embrace your quirks, talents, passions, traits, and interests. It's okay to be different. Your uniqueness is what makes you special. One way to do this is to create a mind map. Here’s how:
Mind Mapping:
Central Idea: Start with a central circle labeled "My Unique Qualities."
Branch Out: Draw branches from the central circle and write down specific qualities, talents, interests, or passions.
Connect the Dots: Identify connections between different qualities and explore how they contribute to your overall identity.
Set Boundaries: Learn to say no and prioritize your well-being. You can’t fill from an empty cup, meaning that you won’t be able to give if you have nothing to give. So be mindful of your needs and limits so you can put yourself first. Instead of FOMO (fear of missing out), think JOMO (joy of missing out)!
Surround Yourself with Positivity: Build relationships with people who uplift and support you. Try to surround yourself with those that genuinely support you, love you, and encourage you. Be on the lookout for fakers based on the following red flags:
Inconsistent Presence: They're often around when it's convenient for them but disappear when you need them.
Self-Centered: They primarily focus on their own needs and interests, showing little interest in yours.
Jealousy or Envy: They may become resentful of your successes or achievements.
Backstabbing: They may gossip about you or spread rumors behind your back.
Lack of Support: They're not there for you during difficult times or when you need encouragement.
Superficiality: Their relationships seem based on appearances or mutual benefits rather than genuine connection.
Emotional Manipulation: They may use guilt, flattery, or threats to control or manipulate you.
Remember, self-love is a journey, not a destination. It's about progress, not perfection; compassion, not judgment. There will be ups and downs, so be patient with yourself, celebrate small victories, surround yourself with supportive people, and never stop believing in your incredible potential!
As Ilona Maher beautifully puts it, "It's okay to be different. It's okay to be you. Because there's only one you, and that's pretty special.".
Self-love is an important part of performance, both in sport and life. If you’re ready to start your journey of self-love, or know someone who is, reach out and let’s get started.
