The Me-Time Mixtape: Three essential hand-curated links and resources on creative self-care. Carve out some me time this week!

Self-acceptance is a prelude to belonging. It may not feel like a logical connection, but accepting yourself, flaws and all, is the only way to stop the comparison and critical self-judgment that stands between you and your sense of belonging.

In this week's podcast episode, I discuss how feeling left out in certain social and work situations pushed me to evaluate my feelings of self-belonging. I explore two types of belonging—belonging to a group and belonging to yourself. The latter is fundamental to making peace with who you are and reaping the rewards of valuing your inner strength and capabilities. We can love ourselves to a greater sense of belonging!

#1 Acceptance First, Then Belonging

To feel the comfort of belonging, you have to truly accept yourself. Self-love is the foundation of self-belonging. To know what qualities you value and admire in yourself and feel the inner comfort from self-acceptance allows you to move about the world from a position of strength and well-being.

The Magical Connection Between Self-Acceptance and Belonging | Kindful Body
Our need for love and belonging is as essential as the physiological and safety needs. To truly feel love and belonging, we must start with self-acceptance.
Kindful BodyMarcella

#2 Opening Up to Meditation

I imagine that when I talk about meditation, some people feel resistance. Some of you may be thinking it's too hard to pin down, make time for, or get in the habit of doing. Here's some encouragement from Harvard Health that I hope will lessen that resistance. Need some guided meditations? Check out some of my affirmation meditations here and here.

Are you resistant to meditation? - Harvard Health
To overcome meditation resistance, it helps to take a meditation class or work with a meditation coach; meditate in a setting free of interruption; and meditate at the same time each day, so it bec…
Harvard HealthHeidi Godman

#3 Healthier Produce

These 15 fruits and vegetables have the least amount of pesticides; often called the "clean fifteen," I find it easier to remember what to eat (a relatively shorter list of healthy foods) than what not to eat. I hope choosing these healthy foods will keep you energized for the upcoming holiday season. I'm stocking up on avocados, mushrooms, and cabbage. What are you choosing? 🍍🍄‍🟫

Clean Fifteen™ Conventional Produce with the Least Pesticides
Check out EWG’s Clean Fifteen list to help decide when you can save money by buying conventional fruits and vegetables – part of our annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™
Clean FifteenEnvironmental Working Group

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Latest Podcast Episode

Episode #43: The Art of Belonging: Creating Space for Yourself

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