D r i n k. Drink a glass of water. And another. And maybe just one more.
It’ll clear your skin as well as your mind and you’ll feel much better late at
night with a warm mug of tea in your hands after a long day.
E a t. Eat as much as your stomach can hold. Don’t listen to all the
things that cross your mind when you look at your thighs and growing fat.
You’re healthy. All those remarks you tell yourself are all lies. Don’t hide
your food and don’t throw it away. You’ll never make it out the door starving,
my dear.
W a s h. Wash your hair, wash your arms, and wash yourself from head to
toe. Darling, I know you hate looking at yourself in the mirror, but I promise
your feet aren’t as big as you tell yourself and you’ll grow into your nose one
day. Be proud of your vessel, and scrub it until it shines.
R e a d. Read, my dear. Visit the library every week. Read everything you
can get your hands on. Stay up late reading ‘just one more chapter’ and fall in
love with fictional characters while embarking on great journeys.
S m i l e. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Tell yourself it’s going to be
okay. Look at yourself in the mirror and say ‘I love body’ especially on the
days you don’t. Apologize to every piece of yourself you’ve ever hated. Brush
your hair and teeth and promise yourself that you’ll love yourself today.
D a n c e. The moment you’re home alone, put on your favorite CD and dance.
Around the couch, down the hallway, and into the kitchen. Twirl around in
circles and collapse in a laughing fit on your bed.
W r i t e. Write about your day, your feelings, your memories. Write about
the person who walked by your house today or the movie you saw last week, or
what grade you got on your test.
L i s t e n. Listen to music, even when you don’t feel
like dancing. Close your eyes and lay back and listen to your parents’ favorite
bands. Listen to other people. Ask what they’ve been doing lately for the sake
of listening to how they’ve been and really listen.
Darling, I
know you’re confused. I know you’re worried and scared and that nothing feels
like it’s going to get better. But guess what? We’re here now. We’re in a much
better place and everything is alright now. You’re safe.
You’re going
to learn a whole lot in the next couple years. I’ve still got a lot to learn
myself. But it’ll all be okay. One of the most important lessons you’ll learn
is how to take care of yourself. How to take time for yourself every once and a
while.
You’re going
to learn how to love yourself again.
~ ☁ ~
