I AM still LOVE even after a tricky challenge.

It came in cute like a little cheerleading group all springy with split leg leaps and pom poms - it morphed into a tsunami of deep emotions and rode through like a stallion on steroids..

Our Plant Potions #selflovechallenge! Did you do it? How did it go? 

As the founder of Plant Potions, scientifically formulated using plant based ingredients I felt it my duty to walk the talk and so here’s a share of some of my insights gained from my experience of this delicious self-exploration exercise.

Ok so what’s the #selflovechallenge?

We launched the challenge on Valentine’s Day as a means to inspire the redirection of some of the love we give to others back into our beautiful selves.For 14 days we asked you to start your day by writing down 3 things that you LOVE about yourself. We requested you record and notice any observations/changes in your world, subtle or obvious during this time.

Why do I need the #selflovechallenge ?

Well, as a solo Mum of 4 amazing daughters with an unhealthy dose of toxic ex-partners, the concept of self-worth and boundaries had been smudged and splattered a gross grey colour! I realised I was looking to the outer world for validation and then feeling disappointed when my aspirations weren’t met. Sound familiar?

I do a daily yoga practice, I meditate, teach yoga and motivate many others with my anecdotes of inspiration but I still needed something precise to hit the target of my lacking.

The #selflovechallenge was the both the bow and the arrow!

The first couple days were an ego stroke - a gentle caress of ‘go me’ - then on Day 5 the shit hit the fan! Looking at my entry for that day I LOVE MYSELF x 3 - a seemingly humble statement, was in fact a gateway passcode to a temporary hell. In hindsight this sentiment actually meant, ‘hold on tight girl we’re going in’.

One of my favourite yoga teachers – the delightful @dena_kingsberg – once described to me that: “The working through of our samskaras / distractions is like adding poppy seeds into a dough mixture - we need to knead the dough consistently, evenly and firmly to distribute the seeds around the dough”*. Well, I was swamped with poppy seeds - big, stubborn ones at that! 

I was brave and kept my focus - kneading daily and noticing the huge gaping holes deep inside that I had put a Bandaid over as I sought a diversion from my outer world. Re-reading my entries, I can see when the light begins to return (obviously it never went away) and I am super-proud of myself for diving into a shark-filled ocean of treacherous surf of emotions and allowing myself the grace to self-support, swim strong and complete the14 days.

And so the #selflovechallenge ends?

Hell no!! I’m still kneading …likely always will be and I’m still standing strong for myself! I have given myself a few days off with the aim of reconnecting with my self-love entries in the morning. My poppy seeds are just starting to resurface and paint a cool picture, however, it could turn ugly at any time.

I’m committed to this self exploration - I don't expect an ‘eureka’ moment and all will be ‘healed’ - this is an ongoing rediscovery that I am thoroughly embracing with gratitude. Last night I saw an image in my head of me as a child: I was smiling - like actually beaming - what a beautiful reward of hope and self-awareness. I nearly cried but instead, I laughed out loud with pure joy -I AM still LOVE and will continue to be so no matter what - and so are you - so embrace you beautiful self - on the daily!

Big love and smiles beautiful people,

Lou x

* Dena Kingsberg Ashtanga Yoga Workshop @theyogaacademy Auckland, NZ November 2011