It's the month of LOVE!

What are you in love with?  I get a kick out of the TikTok reels that show you a hack or something simple, and then end with “now love your life”.  Have you heard that? I am amused by that as if learning to pour coke on a rust stain in the driveway will now cause me to love my life.  Some of that stuff is so ridiculous! But when I pause and really think about the sentiment, it’s easy to question am I loving my life?  Like everyone, there are ups and downs but there are few things that you can do to strengthen your resilience muscle and having strong resilience helps you weather the downs a bit easier. 

1. Surround yourself with people who are FOR you!  This sounds so simple. But are the people in your life really in your corner, cheering you on and hoping for the best FOR you?  I recently read an article that stated that relationships (both marriages and friendships) last longer and are more satisfying when the people actively cheer on the other person.  This cheering-on can take many forms but it should include affirmation, encouragement and support.  If you’re in a relationship and not getting (or giving) these, it’s time to reevaluate! 
2. Invest in yourself! Most entrepreneurs have probably heard the advice to “pay yourself first” and that statement is about more than the financial aspect.  I like to think about it in terms of the airplane “Please put your own oxygen mask on first, before helping others”.  If you don’t invest in yourself, you will become more depleted and at a faster rate compared to others.  I’m not a big fan of the term “self-care” because most people interpret that as going to a spa or something but I’m talking about a deeper investment – one where you learn and grow, and maybe enjoy a spa treatment too.  There is no shortage of internet classes, podcasts, videos, etc from which you can learn.  There is really no excuse not to invest in yourself.   
3. Practice gratitude! Much has been already been written about the importance of gratitude and how continued practice can actually rewire your brain patterns.  Expressing gratitude triggers a release of dopamine, which is the happiness hormone.  Repeatedly expressing gratitude will condition your brain to seek the activity that promotes that dopamine surge so in a way, you can create a POSITIVE addition to gratitude.  

Maybe these reminders will encourage you to make positive change so you can truly “go love your life”.