Ep. 16 Self-Love As a Journey, Not a Destination

In this episode of As You Are, we dive deep into self-love—what it really means and how to actually cultivate it in everyday life. Spoiler: it's not just bubble baths and massages (though those are nice too). We talk about the difference between surface-level self-care and the deeper work of truly accepting yourself, even when it’s uncomfortable. Self-love isn’t a destination; it’s a practice—one that evolves, shifts, and grows.Key Takeaways* Self-love is an ongoing practice, not something you “achieve.”* It’s about accepting and being kind to yourself, even in tough moments.* The way self-love is marketed tends to focus on pampering, but real self-love goes deeper.* Your inner voice matters—learning to talk to yourself like a best friend can shift everything.* Many of us have spent years abandoning ourselves; self-love is about staying with yourself no matter what.* Checking in with yourself daily (even for 10 minutes) makes a huge difference.* Setting boundaries and saying no is self-love in action.* The more we practice, the more it shows up in every part of our lives.* When we love ourselves well, we have more capacity to love others.* Reflection: "What’s one way you can show yourself love this week?" We’d love to hear from you!Whit StewartYou can find Whit online at Madrona Coaching, on Substack at madronajournals.substack.com or on Instagram @madronacoachingOffline, when she’s escaped the city, you'll find her in the woods or on the shore.Lisa BolinYou can connect with Lisa at Flourish Mind and Body, on Substack Flucking Flourishing and Northern Notes, and on Instagram @lisabolin_flourishOffline, she’s connecting with nature, taking a dip, or reading a good book.As You Are Podcast free to listen and watch. If you’d like to support our work, please consider upgrading your subscription.We’d love it if you’d share this episode with someone who might need it. Get full access to As You Are Podcast at asyouarepodcast.substack.com/subscribe