"Love the Body You're In" A Self Love Ritual

Today is my birthday and I'm super excited to continue my yearly self love tradition as a gift to treat myself. We all deserve a little extra love and care on our birthday and who better than you to treat yo'self?! (Cue Parks & Rec Tom & Donna montage).

I'm all about simple self love rituals; whether its buying yourself flowers or treating yourself to the "fancy coffee". Self love and self-care do not have to be about expensive spa days--though it could. It's about taking the time to acknowledge yourself and gift yourself some "me time". ​

This ritual is simple but requires a few items to amp up the ambiance. If you don't have the exact item, try substituting whatever makes sense via your beautiful intuition. This ritual is designed to happen before you shower, but if you're pressed for time you can at least bring that sugar scrub in the shower and feel luxurious afterward. Or treat yourself to a long hot bath after complete with rose petals, your beverage of choice and a good book. 

What you'll need:

• A candle (white, pink or red recommended)
• lighter or matches
• A mirror
• A sugar scrub (or DIY your own)
• Shower/bath tub (or at least a wet washcloth)
• Extra Credit: Buy yourself some roses (pink or red recommended)

Set aside some time when you'll be alone (or at least a room to yourself) and collect your ritual items. 
Set the mood by closing the curtains and dimming the lights. This ritual is just for you and no one else needs to know. 

Begin by lighting the candle; preferably near the mirror. (Be sure to practice fire safety and do not leave a lit candle unattended). 
Once lit, I challenge you to only speak kindly to yourself. Speaking to yourself about your body should sound like a love poem since it's the only one you have in this lifetime.

Undress and take a moment to look at your beautiful, unique and perfect body in the mirror.
Remember you are perfect exactly as you are. Speak kind words out loud to yourself into the mirror. Acknowledge what you love about yourself. Notice each birthmark or scar as a memory that made you the strong person you are today. Be amazed by all the things your body can do and does for you daily. 

Choose an affirmation that rings true to your core; such as "My body is a beautiful vessel for my shining soul."/etc. Repeat this affirmation out loud into the mirror as many times as you feel appropriate; you'll know.

Then repeat this affirmation as you slowly work the sugar scrub over your skin. Allow that affirmation to melt into your skin, nourishing your body and soul. Treat your body with some of the sweetness it deserves. 

Draw your bath or shower and let the water wash away any lingering doubts or negativity. See them flow down the drain; leaving you with your affirmation and all the beautiful things you noticed about yourself. <3

Extra Credit: If you are taking a bath, pull a few roses petals off the roses and let them float on top of the water like a luxury spa. If you're making your own sugar scrub, buy the roses early in the week and let one dry out. Crush the dried rose petals and mix into your sugar scrub for an added boost. 

Extra Extra Credit: Write a love letter to your body, maybe even while you're soaking in that rose petal adorned tub, or just after your ritual. 

Treat yourself and your body well, my beautiful friends.
​Love, Jenn Rose

(Flower Petal Photo by Elly Johnson on Unsplash