Your Love Language and YOU

 Hey guys!

Have you ever heard of the 5 love languages? Do you know what love language your partner has? Do you know YOUR love language?

If you've never heard of them before, the 5 love languages are basically 5 general ways that people show love and affection. They are comprised of:

1. Physical Touch 

2. Acts of Service

3. Quality Time

4. Words of Affirmation

5. Receiving Gifts

Now, if we say that someone has a love language of receiving gifts, it doesn't mean that that is the only way they show or feel love. It's just the biggest percentage of how they express their love. 
So, now that the bare basics are on the table, why am I mentioning the love languages at all? 
Well, because I noticed something about myself that I am sure many MANY others out there are doing also and I want to inspire the change that I believe is needed. 

I know, I know, that probably doesn't make sense right now. But keep reading and I'll (hopefully) make my point clear. 

My love language is Words of Affirmation. In a nutshell, I find compliments and explanations as to why someone thinks/feels that way the greatest way to show and receive love and affection. Hearing 'I love you because....' makes my entire day. 'You inspire me', 'well done', 'I'm proud of you' are all examples of affirmations that make me feel loved and appreciated. The idea that someone cares enough to comment, to message or have that conversation with me really warms my heart. That person has taken their time to think about me, and it's something I'll always be thankful for. 

Which got me thinking- If I show my friends/family love through words of affirmation and I feel most loved when I receive them, why aren't I showing that love to myself? 

It's really not that often that I'll toot my own horn and talk about how great I am, especially to myself. In fact, most of what I say to myself IS negative or I put a negative spin on it. 
"I'd love to have a YouTube Channel" I say to myself, followed by "but no one would care what I posted." "I have a passion to motivate and inspire others," "but what I have to say isn't that interesting." "I carried and birthed 2 beautiful babies!" "But I hate how my stomach looks now." 
"You're not smart enough. You don't earn enough. You're not pretty enough. People don't like you." 
The list never seems to stop. 
But what if I could make it? 
What if I showed myself the same love and affection I do to my partner? To my friends? To my family? 

"I'd love to have a YouTube Channel, I have the personality for it!" 
"I have the passion to motivate and inspire others, so I'm going to use my voice and my platform to do so!" 
"I carried and birthed 2 beautiful babies. I am strong, I am powerful and I am proud of myself."
"I am smart and determined. I work hard to help provide for, nurture and guide my daughters through life. I am beautiful just the way I am. I'm not everyone's cup of tea and that's OK!" 

I know that the love languages are usually tools to help strengthen relationships, but the relationship you have with yourself is just as important as any other. 

I challenge you to take the 5 love languages quiz and look at/learn new ways that you can love yourself. Let me know what your love language is! I'd love to get to know you! 

Until our next Coffee and Chat
<3 Elise xx