Do you find yourself feeling guilty for setting healthy boundaries and taking care of yourself? Or perhaps you find it difficult to receive the good in life or put yourself first.

Sometimes I catch myself thinking – am I really worthy of this great thing? This time out? This self-care? Or is it selfish and unproductive? Or the inner critic within says, what did you do so well to receive this? You’re not good enough for (insert good thing here)…

We may feel that we are being selfish or that we are not worthy of good things, including self-love and care. However, the truth is that we are all worthy of these things, and we must learn to accept them in order to achieve well-being and happiness, and live a balanced lifestyle.

Self-love is the foundation of a happy and healthy life. It is the practice of treating ourselves with the same kindness, compassion, and respect that we would offer to a friend or family member. By practicing self-love, we acknowledge our worthiness and recognise that our needs and desires are just as important as those of others.

Self-care is the act of taking intentional steps to care for our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It can take many forms, from taking a relaxing bath to going for a walk in nature. Self-care helps us recharge and refuel, allowing us to show up fully in our lives and for others.

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment. By practicing mindfulness, we can become more aware of our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, which can help us make more conscious choices and respond to situations in a more balanced and grounded way.

However, despite the benefits of self-love, self-care, and mindfulness, many of us still struggle to accept and receive these things without feeling guilty. We may feel that we are taking time away from others or that we are being selfish by prioritising our own needs.

But the truth is that taking care of ourselves is not selfish – it is more so a healthy kind of selfish, and absolutely necessary. By taking care of ourselves, we are better able to show up for others and contribute to the world in a positive way.

So how can we learn to accept and receive without guilt? Here are a few tips that I have recently learned myself…

Practice self-compassion:

When we feel guilty for taking care of ourselves, it can be helpful to practice self-compassion. This means treating ourselves with the same kindness and understanding that we would offer to a friend who was struggling. Remember that it is okay to take care of yourself, and that you are worthy of love and care.

Set boundaries:

It is important to set boundaries around our time and energy in order to prioritise self-care. This may mean saying no to social events or work obligations, or simply carving out time each day for activities that bring us joy and relaxation. You can see my upcoming wellness and creativity events to help you relax, inside my Meetup group  My advice for setting healthy boundaries is to be kind and polite – but firm and direct. Get clear on what you actually want and express it as best you can. It’s also okay to not even provide a reason – just say no. 

Practice gratitude:

Gratitude can help us shift our focus from what we lack to what we have. By taking time each day to reflect on the things we are grateful for, we can cultivate a sense of abundance and contentment that can help us feel more deserving of self-care and love. I started this practice back in 2016 and a book that I highly recommend to help you get started is The Magic by Rhonda Byrne.

Seek support:

Sometimes it can be helpful to seek support from others, whether it is from a therapist, mentor, a friend, or a support group. Talking about our struggles with accepting and receiving can help us feel less alone and more empowered to make positive changes in our lives.

Self-love, self-care, and mindfulness are essential for our well-being and happiness. It is important to recognise our worthiness and to prioritise our own needs, even if it means saying no to others or setting boundaries.

By practicing self-compassion, gratitude, and seeking support when needed, we can learn to accept and receive without guilt, and live a life that is full of love, joy, and fulfilment.

Need some support? I offer 1:1 mentoring sessions to help you weave self-love and care into your daily life so that you can feel more energised and connected to your true self, and do more of what you love.

Book a discovery call with me to chat and see what’s possible!