Hello, beautiful souls! Chaun Vaughn here, and I'm so excited to share something truly special with you all. February isn't just my birthday month (happy birthday to me) and the month of love; it’s the kick-off to what I'm calling Me Season. Now, don’t get it twisted; I'm not talking about being selfish or ignoring the folks around us. Me Season is about recognizing that to pour into others, we first gotta fill up our own cup. Matthew 22:39, NIV says,'Love your neighbor as yourself.' So how can we truly love our neighbor if we don't know or understand how to love ourselves first? This verse can be seen as giving permission for self-care and self-love, emphasizing that caring for oneself is not selfish but a crucial part of living a balanced and loving life.
ME Season is about setting boundaries, pursuing passions, and taking the time to do the things that light a fire in your soul. I’m talking about giving yourself the love, attention, and care you deserve while at the same time, deepening your relationship with God and recognizing you are a MASTERPIECE meant to shine and share His love.
During this ME Season, I challenge you to embrace self-care rituals that make you feel alive! If you struggle with what self-care and self-love could look like for you, I am sharing 7 out the box methods you can implement during your ME Season.
1 Saying Yes to Things That Scare You
Actively choosing to face your fears, whether it be public speaking, meeting new people, or trying an extreme sport, can significantly boost your sense of self-love. It’s about proving to yourself that your fears don’t define you, and you’re capable of overcoming challenges.
2 Do Some Shadow Work
Engaging in shadow work ( Jungian Psychology) involves exploring and integrating the parts of yourself that you've unconsciously repressed or ignored. The "shadow" refers to aspects of our personality that we consider undesirable or unacceptable, based on our upbringing and societal norms. Shadow work can be challenging but profoundly rewarding, leading to greater self-awareness, acceptance, and personal growth. This is an important way to love on you during ME Season. Here’s a simple yet structured approach I learned to begin engaging in shadow work:
1. Self-Reflection and Awareness
Start by observing your emotional reactions and triggers. Pay attention to strong negative emotions towards others, as these can often reflect parts of yourself that you’ve rejected or ignored.
Journaling can be a helpful tool for this process. Write about experiences that provoke a strong emotional response and try to identify the underlying reasons.
2. Seek Understanding
Once you've identified a shadow aspect, try to understand it. Ask yourself why this trait or desire might be hiding in the shadows. More often than not, it's because it contradicts the image you wish to present to the world or goes against the values you were taught to prioritize.
Engage in a dialogue with your shadow self.
Be sure to approach your shadow aspects with curiosity rather than judgment.
3. Acceptance and Compassion
Practice accepting these parts of yourself with compassion. Remember that every aspect of you has developed for a reason, often as a means of protection or coping.
Use affirmations to reinforce acceptance and love for all parts of yourself. For example, "I accept and love myself, including the parts I do not yet understand."
4. Integration
Integration involves recognizing that your shadow aspects are a part of you and finding healthy ways to express these traits. It's about balancing and finding constructive outlets for these energies rather than letting them drive your behavior unconsciously.
For example, if you discover a need for recognition within your shadow, seek healthy, authentic ways to express your talents and achievements without diminishing others.
5. Seek External Support
Shadow work can be intense and bring up deep-seated emotions. It can be beneficial to seek support from a therapist, especially one familiar with Jungian psychology or other depth psychology approaches.
6. ME Season Relies on Continuous Practice
Shadow work is not a one-time task but an ongoing process of personal growth and self-discovery. Continue to reflect on your behaviors, desires, and reactions, using them as gateways to understanding deeper parts of yourself.
7. Celebrate Growth
Acknowledge and celebrate the growth and insights gained through shadow work. Recognize the increased wholeness and authenticity in your life as you integrate your shadow aspects.
3 Physical Expression Through Dance
Dance, especially when it’s free and uninhibited, encourages you to express your emotions and celebrate your body. It’s a form of self-expression and acceptance that can be incredibly liberating and affirming.
4 Practicing No Without Explanation
Practicing saying "no" without offering an explanation is a powerful self-love and boundary-setting technique. This practice is about respecting your own limits and honoring your needs, energy, and time. While it might initially be perceived as harsh by some, especially in cultures or contexts where there's a strong emphasis on politeness or justification, it's fundamentally a practice in self-respect and clear communication.
5 Volunteering for Causes You Are Passionate About
Engaging in volunteer work can enhance feelings of self-worth and belonging. By contributing to something larger than yourself, you not only make a positive impact on the community but also reinforce your own value and purpose.
6 Setting Boundaries
Learn to say no and set healthy boundaries that protect your time, energy, and emotional well-being. It’s important to recognize when you need to take a step back to care for yourself. Setting boundaries helps prevent burnout and resentment, ensuring that when you do give to others, it's from a place of love and abundance, not obligation or depletion.
7 Digital Detox
Regularly schedule time away from screens and social media to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with yourself and your immediate environment. A digital detox can help reduce anxiety and improve your mood, making you more available and attentive to the needs of others around you.
These are just a few suggestions that have helped me along my self-love discovery journey. What are some techniques you implement?
I'm always excited about ME Season. But guess what? ME Season doesn't have an expiration date. It’s not just for February; it’s a year-round celebration of self-love and personal growth.
But there’s no time like the present to start, and I’ve got just the thing to kick it off: my “Me & God Season” T-shirt.
Let this shirt be your daily reminder that it’s your time to shine, to focus on what makes you happy, and to chase those dreams with all you’ve got.
Wear it with pride, y’all. Whether you’re hitting the gym, diving into a new book, or just taking a moment to breathe, let everyone know: it’s Me Season, and I’m here to flourish!
Get your t-shirt today!