What would it look like to be there for yourself? It might look like showing up for the heartache with a little more love than you’re used to giving yourself. It could sound like a sigh of relief after you’ve looked in the mirror and told yourself “I think you might be enough.” Whatever it means, these poems are reminders that you’re not on your own.

“There is no greater power than that of the sun, the moon, and a woman who knows her worth.” — Nicole Lyons

Be There for Yourself: 5 Notes about Presence and Self-Compassion

I must be in a complete state,

Whether high or low,

To bathe in unity.

I cannot half-heartedly dig in and

Expect a connection.

I need to be reverent,

Whether with ease or by force,

To taste the energy swimming through my veins.

I cannot forget my true name and

Open the door to the life source.

— Remembering Me

Being there for yourself is how you become truly strong—from the inside out, from the ground up.

I crave my own presence

Like cold fingers want a campfire.

Warming up feels like coming home to the

Soul’s one desire:

The truth can burn but

The yearning I can’t deny.

— Thaw

be easy.

take your time.

you are coming

home.

to yourself.

— the becoming | wing, Nayyirah Waheed

Observing your faults with forgiveness and your flaws with kindness is one way to practice courage.

I cannot offer much from the world

That you can keep,

But I can give you

Space to love yourself and

Hope you learn how to let that be enough

So you can remember how to be free.

— What the Universe Said to Me

Letting yourself be enough first, before and if you decide to make the change, is where the real alchemy happens.

Let the sunlight find its way into your mind.

Let it light the torches.

Even on the rainy days,

There will still be just enough light left over inside;

Maybe you won’t even need to open your eyes

To rekindle what you were born with.

— Bottling Light

. . .

Tell me:

Which of these poems really spoke to you?

Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I’d love to know!

What’s inside is the one thing that can’t be taken away from you: it makes you you.

With love,

Jen

P.S. Tell yourself what you need to hear, every day, every night. Get my book Morning Affirmations to wake up feeling enough and get my book Sleep Affirmations to fall asleep knowing that all is well. Really.