Self-love or self-hate: what is driving you?

In this advert we meet two people doing the same thing but for two very different reasons. For one person, going swimming is an activity which brings them satisfaction, joy, fun and personal growth. It comes from looking after the self they love, rather than punishing the self they hate.

For another person going swimming brings damage, frustration and anxiety as they push themselves too far out of desperation to look better, be better, feel better. The relationship with themselves becomes more and more estranged, aggressive and distant.

Often, other people won’t spot the way your self-hate drives you. Only you know your hidden motivations, and whether what you are doing is bringing you joy and fulfilment or further emptiness and anxiety.

Simply ask yourself, ‘why am I doing this, and when I do this, what am I believing about myself? Am I doing this because I love the way I am, and I want to grow and blossom? Or am I doing this because I dislike myself, and I want to become someone else?’

Though I haven’t met you, I believe that you have been made beautifully, with many unique gifts, insights and great potential. What one thing can you do today that shows love and care to yourself?

First published June 2015