Today I’m delighted to introduce this month’s Self-love Ambassador, the gorgeous Susana Frioni.  Susana is a certified Enneagram Life/Biz Coach & Yoga Teacher helping women follow the urge to be real in life, love and work through her online programs, live events and retreats, private coaching and weekly yoga classes based in Brisbane.  Having experienced an Enneagram Session with Susana, I recommend it. It was very insightful and Susana is highly skilled, asking those probing questions that set off an a-ha moment.

Sign up for Susana’s somewhat weekly dose of wisdom, power and love.  And be sure to check out her program Selfish for 27 days: where women shamelessly put their health and happiness first.  Enrolments are open at www.selfishfor27days.com

It can seem trite when we hear the words ‘just love yourself’. How would you suggest that someone does this if they don’t know where to start?

For me, loving yourself is this fierce, yet loving, commitment to never ever again abandon yourself to the degree that you are not fully present to your own life.  When we are caught up in worry, guilt, tension, stress, fantasy, fear, shame and anxiety we become disconnected from our bodies and our feelings – and ultimately from our true nature.

This kind of self-love entails a profound acceptance of yourself as you actually are without judgment or attempting to change your experience. And this kind of profound acceptance, being with what is, is about returning to Presence time and time again.

So for someone who doesn’t know where to start, I would suggest the simple practice of ‘conscious breathing’.  Anytime you are aware of your breath, you are present.  Anytime you are present, you are connected to your true nature.  Anytime you are connected to your true nature, you’re expanding your capacity to love yourself.  You really don’t need to state affirmations that you are this or you are that.  You don’t have to brainwash yourself of anything.  You simply need to spend more time in presence, connecting with your true nature.

What’s the best self-love tip you have ever heard?

“There’s a big difference between judging yourself positively versus relating to yourself kindly“.  I’m all for less judging and more kindness.      

How do you bring yourself back into your heart when you are feeling down on yourself?

By asking myself the ‘right’ questions.  For the past 3 years I have really developed my ability to self-inquire with a loving heart.  Anytime I am feeling down or frustrated or pissed off I take a few conscious breaths and ask myself this repeating question: “what else is here right now?”  My answers remind me that there is always ‘more’ in this moment if we expand our capacity to fully be with the whole moment, and not just a fragment of the moment.