I Ordered the Wrong Size… But Maybe the Bigger Problem Was How I Saw Myself

I am going to rant for a minute, so hear me out.
My inseam is 29 inches.
My hips are 41 inches.
My bust is around 38 inches, and I wear about a C cup.
I weigh 140 pounds.

I am normally a leggings-and-oversized-shirt kind of woman. Comfort is my love language. I like clothes that do not squeeze, pinch, ride up, or require me to think too hard before leaving the house.

But lately, I realized something: I do not really have many cute clothes.

Not cute clothes for going out to dinner with my husband. Not cute clothes for pageants with my granddaughter. Not cute clothes that make me feel polished, pretty, and put together.

So, I did what many of us do.

I went online shopping.

My first round of orders included XL tops and size 14–16 pants. That is what I thought I needed. That is the size I saw myself as.

Then the clothes arrived.

And every single thing was huge on me.

Huge.

So I finally did what I probably should have done before I ever clicked “add to cart.” I took my actual measurements.

My waist is barely 33 inches.

Let me say that again for myself as much as anyone else:

I am not a size 16.

I am petite.

But that is not what I see when I look in the mirror.

That realization hit harder than I expected.

So I went back online, this time shopping according to my actual measurements instead of the size I had assigned myself in my head. I ordered two pairs of jeans. One was a size 10, and according to the site’s measurements, they should fit. The other pair was a size 12, and those measurements looked right too.

When they arrived, the size 12 was too big.

The size 10 was snug, but wearable.

Then I ordered three tops, all size large. Out of those three shirts, only one actually fit. The other two were too big.

And that brings me to another frustration: Why can’t the women’s clothing industry get on the same page?

Why is a size 10 not just a size 10?

Why can one pair of size 10 jeans fit, another size 10 feel like a sausage casing, and another size 10 fall off your body?

If I buy my husband jeans in a 29/30, they are pretty much a 29/30. Give or take a tiny bit, men’s sizing is mostly consistent. Men’s shirts are usually close too.

But women’s clothing?

Absolutely not.

It feels like every brand has its own secret sizing system, and we are all supposed to just magically know which one applies to our body. It is frustrating. It is irritating. And honestly, it messes with your head.

But here is the part that really got me.

I am struggling to see myself as a size 10.

Even with the measurements. Even with the too-big clothes. Even with the scale saying 140.

When I look in the mirror, sometimes I still see the 250-pound version of myself.

I have not weighed 250 pounds since 2012.

That was over a decade ago.

And yet, some part of my brain still sees her standing there.

I said to myself, "What in the world, Dyanne?"

It made me realize that sometimes our bodies change long before our minds catch up. We can lose weight. We can age. We can heal. We can grow. We can completely transform our lives, and still, our reflection can feel outdated.

Like our eyes are looking at the present, but our brain is pulling up an old photo.

And that is hard.

Because if I cannot trust what I see in the mirror, then I have to learn to trust something else. Measurements. Fit. Photos. Honest feedback. How my clothes actually feel on my body. How I feel when I stop trying to hide myself.

Maybe this is not just about clothes.

Maybe this is about perception.

Maybe this is about the stories we keep telling ourselves long after they stop being true.

So I am asking honestly:

Can anyone else relate?

When you look in the mirror, do you see yourself as you truly are?

Or do you see an older version of yourself? A heavier version? A younger version? A version shaped by shame, criticism, insecurity, or old wounds?

Is your perception of yourself accurate?

Because I am realizing mine may not be.

And maybe that is where the real work begins.

Not just finding jeans that fit.

But learning to see myself clearly.

I don’t think this is vanity. I think this is body-image whiplash. My body changed, but my brain still reaches for the old version of me.

Thanks for reading my rant for the day! Leave a comment if you relate!

Behind the Scenes: Preparing for Your Boudoir Session (Mindset, Confidence & Care)

 Walking into a boudoir session can feel intimidating. It’s not just about lingerie and posing—it’s about letting yourself be seen. For many women, that stirs up nerves, insecurities, and questions like “Am I really ready for this?”

The truth? You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to show up as you. A boudoir session is less about creating a flawless photo and more about creating a powerful experience of self-love and self-acceptance.
Here’s a deeper look behind the scenes at how to prepare emotionally, pose with confidence, choose the right photographer, and care for yourself after the shoot.

1. Preparing Emotionally: Setting the Mindset
Your mindset is the foundation of the experience. Boudoir photography is emotional work—if you walk in telling yourself “I don’t belong here,” the nerves will run the show. But if you walk in telling yourself, “I deserve to feel beautiful,” the session will unfold differently.

Ways to prepare:

Self-affirmation practice. Stand in front of the mirror a week before your session and repeat: “I am worthy of this experience. I deserve to celebrate myself.” It may feel silly, but it re-wires your brain toward confidence.

Visualization. Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking into the session with your head high, your playlist pumping, and your photographer cheering you on. See yourself glowing in the spotlight.

Build a power playlist. Music sets the tone. Some women bring sultry tracks, others bring pump-up anthems. Either way, it grounds you and helps you step into your alter ego.

Choose garments that reflect you. If lace bodysuits make you feel powerful—go for it. If a favorite oversized sweater makes you feel cozy and intimate, that’s equally sexy.

Remember: empowerment doesn’t come from the lingerie; it comes from wearing what feels authentic.

2. Lighting & Posing for Every Body

The camera doesn’t discriminate—every body is worthy of being celebrated. What matters is how lighting and posing highlight your natural beauty.

For plus-size clients: Soft side-lighting is magic. It creates shadows that sculpt curves beautifully without harshness. Think candlelight glow but in camera form. I’ll often guide you into seated poses that emphasize waistlines, or reclining poses that highlight curves naturally.

For scars and stretch marks: Many women ask, “Will you edit these out?” The answer is always up to you. Some choose to showcase scars as symbols of survival, while others prefer them softened. We can use strategic posing (like angling away from direct light) if you’d rather downplay them, or highlight them proudly if they’re part of your story.

Universal posing tips:

• Posture is confidence. Even a subtle arch of the back communicates strength.
  
  
• Angles elongate. Turning your shoulders or hips at a slight diagonal adds depth.
  
  
• Hands tell a story. Whether brushing hair back, tracing a neckline, or resting on a curve, hands bring emotion to the photo.

I don’t expect you to know any of this walking in. My job is to direct, encourage, and guide until you feel comfortable.

3. Choosing the Right Photographer
Boudoir is intimate—it requires trust. Not every photographer is right for every client, and that’s okay. What matters is finding someone who makes you feel safe and seen.

Questions to ask when searching:

• Does their portfolio reflect diversity? Do you see women of different sizes, ages, skin tones, and backgrounds? If not, you might feel pressured to fit into a narrow definition of beauty.
  
  
• What are their privacy policies? Ask how they store files, whether they use password-protected galleries, and if you have control over which images are shared publicly.
  
  
• Do they explain boundaries? A good photographer will be upfront about what poses are optional, how to communicate “no,” and how to make you feel in control at all times.
  
  
• Do they care about your comfort? You should feel like your photographer is your cheerleader, not a critic. If you leave a consultation feeling judged, that’s your red flag.

When you find the right fit, the photos become less about the photographer’s style and more about your story. That’s when the magic happens.

4. Caring for Yourself After the Session
The emotional journey doesn’t end when the lights go off. Many clients are surprised by the wave of emotions that come when they first see their photos. Some laugh, some cry, and some nitpick every detail. All of it is normal.

Post-session care tips:

• Look with kindness. When you first see your images, don’t zoom in on your “flaws.” Step back and take in the whole photo. Notice the mood, the emotion, the energy you radiated.
  
  
• Decide how you want to use them. Some women create heirloom albums, others frame wall art, and some keep their photos tucked away for themselves. There’s no right or wrong way—it’s about how you want to carry the memory.
  
  
• Separate retouching from reality. Yes, editing can smooth skin and polish the frame, but the confidence you see—that’s 100% yours. Don’t let Photoshop convince you otherwise.
  
  
• Celebrate. Book a dinner out, write a journal entry, or simply sit with your photos and acknowledge the courage it took to do the shoot. This was never just about pretty pictures—it was about transformation.

Final Word
A boudoir session isn’t about being someone else. It’s about honoring the person you already are—the one who has lived, struggled, triumphed, and deserves to feel radiant.

With the right mindset, the right photographer, and the right care before and after, your session becomes more than a photoshoot. It becomes a declaration: I am worthy. I am beautiful. I am enough.

www.deelitefulphotography.com

The Annual Body Acceptance Body Love Photoshoot Event

In a world saturated with unrealistic beauty standards, one photographer is making waves by creating a space where authenticity takes center stage. Every year, Deeliteful Photography holds a free photoshoot titled "Body Acceptance/Body Love", inviting women to embrace their uniqueness, scars, stretch marks, and all. This event is open to all women over the age of 18. 

Here's a closer look at this empowering event.

The Basics: Wear Black, Express Yourself:
The guidelines are simple yet profound. Participants are asked to wear a solid black bikini or undergarments and bring their creativity to the forefront. Armed with black body markers, women inscribe messages on their bodies – a canvas for self-expression that spans from front to back, arms to legs. The result is a raw and honest portrayal of their journey towards self-love. The messages can be affirmations, quotes, symbols, etc. In the past, some women colored their stretch marks and scars. Participants are encouraged to plan and write down on paper the messages they want to write on their bodies - to themselves, to the world. And spell check. 

Anonymity and Consent
Understanding the sensitivity of the subject, the event offers the option to remain anonymous by covering the face. However, each participant must sign a model release, granting the photographer permission to use the photos for social media. It's a conscious choice to share stories and images that contribute to a collective narrative of self-acceptance.

Collaboration and Support Participants are encouraged to come alone, creating an intimate and personal environment. The act of writing on one's body isn't always easy, so mutual assistance is welcomed. It's a reminder that the path to self-love is often traveled hand in hand, fostering a sense of camaraderie and support among participants.

Social Media as a Platform for Change
Understanding the power of social media, Deeliteful Photography encourages participants to share their photos, provided they tag and credit the event as well as the photographer. This not only amplifies the message of self-love but also serves as a testament to the impact of authenticity in a curated online world.

Black and White Documentary Style
All images are captured in black and white, adopting a documentary style that enhances the rawness and honesty of each participant's journey. Stripping away color emphasizes the universal nature of the human experience, transcending societal norms and expectations.

The Age Factor and Commitment
To ensure a safe and respectful environment, participants must be 18 years of age.

Additionally, a commitment to the event is essential – a no-show results in ineligibility for future free photoshoot opportunities.

Empowering Through Vulnerability

The Body Acceptance/Body Love Photoshoot fosters self-love and acceptance through authentic expression on participants' bodies, encouraging messages that reflect unique stories. It creates a supportive community where individuals assist each other, fostering shared vulnerability. Offering anonymity respects privacy, and leveraging social media amplifies the impact, contributing to a broader narrative of body positivity. The black and white documentary style, along with age and commitment considerations, ensures a transformative and respectful atmosphere, emphasizing the universal nature of human experiences.

This annual Body Acceptance/Body Love Photoshoot isn't just about capturing images; it's a movement that empowers individuals to embrace vulnerability, celebrate their bodies, and rewrite their narratives.

In a society that often dictates beauty standards, events like these serve as a powerful reminder that true beauty lies in authenticity and self-acceptance.

If you would like to participate in this event, it will be held on May 18, 2024 in a remote location in Yell County, Arkansas. Please join Learning Self-Love Group on Facebook for more details. Or email me at deelitefulphotography@gmail.com.

Deeliteful Photography

Boudoir Photography Solves Problems!

Boudoir photography is a form of intimate photography that focuses on capturing the beauty and sensuality of a person in a private setting. It has become increasingly popular in recent years as more people have started to recognize the benefits of this type of photography. In this blog post, we'll be discussing the problems that a boudoir session solves and how it can help you feel confident and beautiful.

Problem #1: Negative Body Image

One of the most common problems that people face is negative body image. We live in a society that places a lot of emphasis on physical appearance, and it's easy to feel self-conscious about our bodies. A boudoir session can help to combat these negative thoughts by showing you just how beautiful you really are. It allows you to see yourself in a new light and appreciate all the unique qualities that make you who you are.

Problem #2: Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem can be a difficult problem to overcome, and it can have a negative impact on all areas of your life. A boudoir session can help to boost your self-esteem by giving you a new sense of confidence and empowerment. You'll feel beautiful, sexy, and confident in your own skin, which can help you tackle any challenges that come your way.

Problem #3: Lack of Intimacy

Intimacy is an essential part of any relationship, and it's important to nurture this connection to keep it strong. However, as our lives become busier, it can be easy to neglect this aspect of our relationships. A boudoir session can help to reignite that spark and bring a sense of intimacy back into your life. Whether you're doing it for yourself or for your partner, a boudoir session can help you feel more connected and intimate with the people in your life.

Problem #4: Celebrating Milestones

Life is full of milestones, and it's important to celebrate them in a meaningful way. A boudoir session is the perfect way to mark a special occasion such as a wedding, anniversary, or birthday. It's a way to celebrate yourself and the journey you've been on, and to capture a moment in time that you'll be able to look back on for years to come.

Problem #5: Embracing Your Femininity

Finally, a boudoir session can help you embrace your femininity and feel more comfortable in your own skin. It's a celebration of your womanhood and all the unique qualities that make you who you are. Whether you're shy or outgoing, a boudoir session can help you tap into your feminine energy and feel more confident and beautiful.

Problem #6: Overcoming Fear

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary, but it can also be incredibly liberating. A boudoir session is an opportunity to face your fears and push yourself to do something that might be outside of your usual routine. By taking this step, you'll be able to build confidence and prove to yourself that you're capable of doing anything you set your mind to.

Problem #7: Strengthening Your Relationship

A boudoir session can also help to strengthen your relationship with your partner. By sharing this intimate experience with them, you'll be able to build trust and deepen your connection. It's a way to show your partner how much you love and appreciate them, and to create a lasting memory that you can both cherish.

Problem #8: Empowering Other Women

Boudoir photography isn't just about feeling confident and beautiful yourself - it's also about empowering other women. By embracing your femininity and sharing your story, you can inspire other women to do the same. It's a way to break down societal barriers and celebrate the unique qualities that make us all beautiful and special.

Problem #9: Creating Art

Boudoir photography is a form of art, and it's an opportunity to create something beautiful and unique. By working with a skilled photographer, you can create a series of stunning images that capture your personality, style, and sensuality. It's a way to express yourself creatively and to create something that you can be proud of.

Problem #10: Celebrating Your Strength

Finally, a boudoir session is a way to celebrate your strength and resilience. Life can be tough, and it's easy to get bogged down by stress and anxiety. But by taking the time to appreciate your body, your femininity, and your beauty, you can remind yourself just how strong and capable you really are. It's a way to celebrate all that you've overcome and all that you have yet to achieve.

A boudoir session is more than just a photo shoot - it's an opportunity to overcome fears, celebrate milestones, strengthen relationships, and empower yourself and other women. So why not take the leap and book your own boudoir session today? You never know - it might just change your life.

www.deelitefulphotography.com

Body Acceptance and Self-Love

Learning to love and accept your body is a journey that can be challenging, but it is an essential part of developing self-love and living a fulfilling life. Our bodies are unique, and they carry us through the world. By accepting and loving our bodies, we can experience greater self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

The journey to self-love and body acceptance can take time, and it often involves shifting our mindset and developing new habits. Here are some methods to improve body acceptance and self-love:

Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and compassion, just as you would treat a loved one. Recognize that no one is perfect, and that imperfection is a natural part of being human. Practice forgiving yourself and accepting that your body is unique and beautiful in its way.

Focus on what your body can do: Instead of focusing on what you don't like about your body, focus on the things that your body can do. Be grateful for your body's ability to walk, run, dance, and experience the world around you. By focusing on what your body can do, you can learn to appreciate your body for its strength and resilience, rather than its appearance.

Reframe negative thoughts: When you notice negative thoughts about your body, try to reframe them into more positive, realistic statements. For example, instead of saying, "I hate my stomach," you could say, "My stomach helps me digest food and provides energy for my body. 

Surround yourself with positive influences: Surround yourself with people who accept and appreciate their bodies and who support and encourage you to do the same. This can be friends, family, or online communities. Also, take the time to unfollow social media accounts that make you feel bad about yourself.

Engage in self-care: Self-care involves taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. By taking care of your body through good nutrition, exercise, and rest, you can show yourself that you value and respect your body. Make time for activities that make you feel good and focus on feeling good rather than achieving a certain look or weight.

Challenge societal beauty standards: Recognize that society promotes unrealistic beauty standards, which can cause feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction. Challenge these standards by surrounding yourself with diverse representations of beauty and by celebrating diversity.

Remember, accepting and loving your body is a journey, and it takes time and practice. Be patient and kind with yourself, and celebrate the progress you make along the way. By accepting and loving your body, you can experience greater self-confidence, self-love, and overall well-being. Remember, you are beautiful, and you deserve to love and accept yourself just the way you are.

It is important to recognize that society's beauty standards have been heavily edited and manipulated to fit a narrow definition of beauty. Real beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and there is no one "perfect" body type. It is essential to celebrate diversity and recognize that our bodies are unique and beautiful in their way.

It is also important to acknowledge that body acceptance and self-love are not easy. It is a journey that can be challenging, and it often involves confronting negative beliefs and thought patterns. Be kind and compassionate with yourself and recognize that this is a process that takes time and effort.

Another helpful strategy is to focus on gratitude. Take time each day to focus on the things you are grateful for, including your body. By focusing on gratitude, you can shift your focus away from negativity and towards positivity and appreciation.

Ultimately, the journey to self-love and body acceptance is about learning to accept and love yourself just the way you are. It is about recognizing your inherent worth and value as a human being and celebrating all that makes you unique. By developing self-love and body acceptance, you can experience greater confidence, happiness, and fulfillment in life.

Remember that you are worthy of love and acceptance, and you deserve to feel good about yourself just the way you are.

Self Love and Aging

Update: I haven't written a blog since August 2022. There have been so many changes in my life that have distracted me.

Sept 2022
1. Granddaughter #10 arrived on my birthday - 9/14.
October 2022
2. Moved from Bentonville, AR to Plainview, AR (behind my daughter - and closer to grandbaby)
3. We moved into a 32 foot camper while building our new home - downsizing from a 3bedroom home with a garage.  
November 

4. My daughter has a house fire that affected 2/3 of their home.

December: 4. Hubby was terminated due to Walmart doing away with his position. 

5. Christmas happened.

So - here I am trying to get back to blogging. 

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Self-love and aging are two important topics that are often intertwined. As we age, it can be easy to focus on the negative changes that happen to our bodies and minds, such as wrinkles and memory loss. However, it's important to remember that aging is a natural part of life and there are many ways to embrace it and continue to love ourselves.

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to self-love and aging is that it's never too late to start. Whether you're in your 20s or your 80s, it's possible to develop a positive relationship with yourself and learn to love yourself unconditionally.

One way to practice self-love as we age is to focus on the things that make us unique and special. This can include our talents, abilities, and experiences. It's important to celebrate and appreciate these aspects of ourselves, rather than focusing on what we perceive as flaws or shortcomings.

Another way to practice self-love as we age is to take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and mentally. This can include exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. When we take care of ourselves, we feel better about ourselves and are more able to love ourselves.

It's also important to surround ourselves with people who love and support us. Having a strong support system can make a huge difference in how we feel about ourselves, especially as we age.

Finally, it's important to remember that aging is a privilege, not a curse. Not everyone gets to grow old, so it's important to be grateful for the opportunity to do so and to make the most of the time we have.

In conclusion, self-love and aging go hand in hand. It's never too late to start loving ourselves, and by focusing on our unique qualities, taking care of ourselves, surrounding ourselves with supportive people, and remembering that aging is a privilege, we can learn to embrace and love ourselves as we age.

https://linktr.ee/deelitefulphotography

Self Love Means Making Yourself a Priority

 

When was the last time you told yourself that you are enough? How about the last time you did something just for you?

Loving ourselves is not always the easiest task. Many of us find it’s much easier and simpler to put our time and energy towards friends and family than it is to love ourselves.

I want place more importance on my own self love. And to show others how essential it is to invest in the relationship with themselves because we are the only people in charge of our own happiness.

Many of us fail to prioritize ourselves – we often place the needs of others before our own, which means when life gets busy, we end up compromising our own beliefs and desires. The saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup” couldn’t be more fitting. More often than not, our well-being takes a backseat as we go about our day checking off our to-do lists, prioritizing others' needs over our own.

When you fly, if you’re traveling with someone who you’re caring for, you’re instructed to put on our own oxygen mask first before helping others secure theirs. We are no good to anyone passed out on the floor, let alone ourselves.

Prioritizing ourselves means we are giving ourselves time and attention to focus on our needs, desires, goals, and wants. It also means we give ourselves the same compassion, understanding, and priority that we do to other people.

When we consider what we need in life to feel good about ourselves – whether its having a hobby, joining a team, assessing our values, etc.–we will love ourselves first. It is so important to love ourselves first. When we love ourselves we chase the things we deserve and let go of what doesn’t bring we joy.

Loving ourselves means having the self-respect to say goodbye to people bringing we down. It involves forcing ourselves to go after the things we want most in life. It means ignoring the critics because haters gonna hate but they won’t bring we down. When we love ourselves we exude confidence and only then can we really be selfless.

Sometimes these practices take time, but little habits create big changes when we do them every day. At the end of the day, remember this: to give our best, we have to feel our best. Invest in ourselves, spend time doing what we love, and be kind and compassionate when we make mistakes. we are deserving of all the love and attention in the world.

Self-care does not have to be a lavish and expensive priority. It can be as simple as turning our phone on silent to read our new book or enjoying a cup of hot tea after a long day. We deserve to allow ourselves to find something that brings us joy every day and make it a priority.

Practicing self-love isn't a “one and done” event. It takes time and consistency to cultivate a new attitude towards self-worth and growth. Allow ourselves to be present each day and proud of the small victories.  We must make ourselves a priority to give ourselves the time to be present for ourselves.

With social media, it is becoming easier and easier to compare our life to others in just a single post. It is crucial to remind ourselves daily that each person has their own specific path in life and no two paths look the same. Taking a break from social media at times can be a good practice of self-love as well.

Self-love means prioritizing surrounding ourselves with people that care about us and make us smile. As obvious as this sounds, it is easy to ignore this practice altogether. Take a moment to go through the people that are closest to us and determine if they make we smile on a daily basis. If we are finding it hard to determine if they do or not, it is time to do what is best for we and our health. If these people do not make us feel loved, supported, cared for, and make us smile, it it time to eliminate these people from our lives – EVEN if they are family.

Making ourselves a priority means focusing more on the things we love. This practice looks different for everyone. Write down a list of the top five things that make you happy. This can be hobbies, people, and/or events that bring you the most joy in a healthy, positive and worthwhile way. Once you determine your favorite people, places, events, and/or hobbies, plan out your days to participate in them. Allow yourself the time to do more things you love and you will find a more balanced and fulfilled, worthwhile, life.

Making time for ourselves is vitally important in any relationship. Without the ability to focus on ourselves, it’s easy to fall into unhealthy patterns of codependency and lose our sense of identity. Ultimately, our relationship with our own head and heart are the most crucial ones to nurture, and these will affect all other relationships in our lives, whether they be romantic, platonic or familial. Healthy boundaries, open communication and prioritizing alone time are key ingredients to a strong relationship.

This can be a tricky balance in the best of times, but since the beginning of the pandemic and many people transitioning to working from home, this has put an immense amount of added stress on romantic relationships. When living with your partner, it can be very difficult to protect your alone time when you’re both at home constantly. And even if you don’t live together, with the limited number of activities available and the lowered number of people we’re allowed to see these days, setting aside time for self-love and growth outside of your partnership has even less of a road map than it did before.

But the added challenge of creating time for ourselves in today’s climate of external strains means that it’s just as crucial, if not more so, for both our mental health and the health of our relationships to make ourselves and self care a priority. While every relationship dynamic is different, it is invaluable to prioritize ourselves when you’re in a partnership.

If we observe our daily routine, we will find that there are countless things that steal our “self-care” time and make us feel miserable. Do not let technology keep you from appreciating the beautiful gifts that life has for you. Time that is dedicated to ourselves will bring us even closer to our inner person. We can listen to music, take a walk alone, write stories, daydream or just sit quietly for a few minutes, just as long as we are just being with ourselves.

It is said, “success makes us feel great but failures bring along an eternal feeling of satisfaction when we love ourselves.” When we love being us and celebrate our love for ourselves every single moment, our inner happiness does not depend upon our success or failure, as we are always able to treat ourselves as our own best friend. We live a complete life that has a perfect balance of everything we need to be an overall developed individual.

We must not ignore our inner calling. Our inner voice guides us the best since no us knows better than us. It may be difficult to make a decision when we get stuck in life but when we follow our instincts, life gives us a way of realizing our dreams and happiness. When we listen to our own hearts, we will rarely regret our decisions, even when we face setbacks.

A little shift in our attitude towards prioritizing ourselves can actually bring us closer to success and happiness. The secret of a happy and a healthy life is loving ourselves the way we are regardless of anything else.

Here are some suggestions for becoming more of a priority in your life:

• Make time for YOU. Schedule it. Put it on your calendar. Make it a date.

• Practice self-compassion – be kind to yourself, speak kind to yourself.

• STOP feeling guilty – for saying no, for turning down invitations and for changing your mind.

• Practice saying NO – practice with a friend you trust. Say no to things you don't want to do.

• Learn to love your imperfections – accept them, embrace them. They aren't going anywhere. Make peace with them.

• It's ok to ask for help – asking for help is a sign of strength – not a sign of weakness.

• Let go of the need for control – control is an illusion. The only thing any of us have control of is ourselves.

• Embrace your emotions – emotions are what make us human, vulnerable, and alive.

• Surround yourself with encouraging, positive people – negative people are energy draining. And encouraging, positive people are energy giving.

• Start a Gratitude Journal – this has been my greatest strength. There is always something to be grateful for – write it down.

• Believe you are more than enough - At the end of the day, you are and have always been more than enough

Prioritizing yourself is more than just saying all the right words and pampering yourself, but it's knowing what you need and deserve every day. This means saying no when someone is disrespecting your boundaries or when you're getting close to being burned out.

It's taking short breaks when you're feeling drained and it's taking the time to reflect inward.

Prioritizing yourself is knowing who you are and being content with spending time with yourself because it's how you recharge your energy.

I hope this touched you as deeply as it touched me while I wrote it.  Make yourself a priority. Make time for yourself. It's okay to unplug! 

Please leave me your thoughts and comments below. I would greatly appreciate it! And don't forget to subscribe so you are notified when a new blog is posted. 

Deeliteful Photography