As I was wrapping up my yoga session, sitting quietly on the floor, and taking in the moment of what I completed I decided to hug myself. ?

I really felt a deep sense of gratitude for what my body just did for me for the last 28 minutes. ? I was appreciating that I get to move this way and the tears started to gently flow. ?

When I was a child, I was alone a lot and didn't get the love I desperately needed and wanted from my parents. ? That little girl has been needing love for so long, but I looked for it externally thinking that was the answer. ?

In the last few years, I discovered that what I really needed was to love myself and give myself much needed attention. ? So, in the moments when I'm feeling that I need some love, I turn to myself and hug myself. ?

When was the last time you hugged yourself? ? Truly wrapped your arms around your own body and embraced the person you are with compassion and love? ?

For most of us, that'd be...never. Self-hugging isn't exactly an intuitive act in our culture of self-criticism. But I'm here to invite you into this radical practice of self-embrace - and to share why it's one of the most profound acts of self-love you can give yourself. ?

Think about hugging a child - your own child, niece, nephew, or any young one you adore. ? What courses through you as you wrap them in your arms? Fierce protective love, yes. ❤️ But also simple joy in connecting with their precious humanity. ? Comfort, affirmation, care. ?

Now...why don't you deserve that same gift for yourself? ?

We're taught self-criticism and pushing ourselves is noble. But your highest self isn't accessible through negativity - only love & compassion. ? When you hug yourself like you'd hug a child, you're reminding yourself "You're safe, you're loved, you're enough." ✨

It may feel awkward at first to self-embrace. But imagine speaking those loving words to yourself as you hug your own gorgeous, perfectly imperfect body. ? You'd feel instantly soothed and uplifted, right? Like returning home to yourself. ?

This is the gentle power of self-hugs. ? You're giving yourself a moment of unconditional acceptance, free from judgment or criticism. ? It's pure being and receiving - proclaiming to the universe, "I lovingly embrace all of me, without limits." ?

The profound release in hugging yourself reminds you that you're a sacred being, inherently worthy of love simply because you exist. ? Not for anything you do, but for showing up as your beautifully human self. ?

So let yourself be hugged, held and accepted - by you. ❤️ This loving act can transform your self-perception and how you move through the world. ? When you embrace ALL you are without condition, you become softer, braver, freer. ?

If it's awkward at first, simply laugh at the preciousness of caring for yourself so tenderly. ? But keep returning to this soul-hug. ✨ It's one of life's simplest yet most radical joys - allowing your arms to enfold and uplift the miraculous light that is YOU. ?

P.S. If you can't remember the last time you self-hugged, it's been too long. ⏰ Try pausing wherever you are right now to wrap yourself up tightly and whisper affirmations of radical self-love. ❤️

Reconnect to that deserving essence within you. ✨ You've got this! ?