First, Love Yourself

East Cobb Counseling

The Foundation of Healing: Why Loving Yourself Comes First

In the journey of self-discovery and personal growth, there's a fundamental truth that often gets overlooked: before we can truly love others and live fulfilling lives, we must first learn to love ourselves. This concept may sound cliché, but it holds profound significance in the realm of mental health and well-being. In this therapeutic exploration, we'll delve into why loving yourself is essential for healing and living a life of authenticity and fulfillment.


Understanding Self-Love:

Self-love is not about vanity or selfishness; it's about cultivating a deep sense of compassion, acceptance, and kindness towards ourselves. It's about recognizing our inherent worth and treating ourselves with the same care and respect that we would offer to a cherished friend or loved one. Self-love is the foundation upon which our mental and emotional well-being is built.


Healing Inner Wounds:

Many of us carry deep-seated wounds from past experiences, whether it's childhood trauma, relationship struggles, or self-limiting beliefs. These wounds can manifest as negative self-talk, low self-esteem, or destructive behavior patterns. By practicing self-love, we create a safe and nurturing space within ourselves where healing can occur. We learn to soothe our inner wounds with compassion and understanding, fostering healing and wholeness.


Breaking the Cycle of Self-Sabotage:

Lack of self-love often manifests in self-sabotaging behaviors such as perfectionism, people-pleasing, or seeking validation from others. These behaviors stem from a deep-seated belief that we are not worthy or deserving of love and happiness. By cultivating self-love, we break free from these destructive patterns and embrace our inherent worthiness. We learn to set healthy boundaries, prioritize self-care, and pursue our goals with confidence and resilience.


Enhancing Relationships:

Our relationship with ourselves sets the tone for all other relationships in our lives. When we love ourselves unconditionally, we attract healthier, more fulfilling connections with others. We are better equipped to communicate our needs, assert our boundaries, and form authentic connections based on mutual respect and understanding. By loving ourselves, we create space for love to flow freely in all areas of our lives.


Living Authentically:

True self-love empowers us to live authentically, embracing our strengths, weaknesses, and imperfections with courage and grace. We no longer feel the need to hide behind masks or conform to societal expectations. Instead, we embrace our uniqueness and live in alignment with our values and aspirations. Through self-love, we cultivate a deep sense of self-awareness and inner peace, allowing us to navigate life's challenges with authenticity and integrity.


Conclusion:

In the journey of self-discovery and personal growth, loving yourself is not a luxury; it's a necessity. It's the foundation upon which healing, happiness, and fulfillment are built. By practicing self-love, we heal our inner wounds, break free from self-sabotage, enhance our relationships, and live authentically. So, let us embark on this journey of self-love with compassion, courage, and an open heart, knowing that the greatest gift we can give ourselves and the world is the gift of unconditional love.


By Laurel Clayton-Seheult April 29, 2025
Let’s set the scene: You’re bloated, burping like a frat boy, and wondering if your stomach secretly hates you. Your doctor runs some tests and bam—Helicobacter pylori enters your life like that one ex who texts “U up?” at 2 a.m. First, breathe. You’re not alone. H. pylori is a common bacterial party crasher in the gut. But here’s the twist: it doesn’t just make your stomach hurt—it can hijack your entire digestive vibe. The Good News: This is totally fixable—with a little help from science, food, and maybe someone who knows what “methylation” means. Step 1: Get a Nutritional Test (Not Just the Basic Kind) Think of it as a blood test, but with a glow-up (that only requires a mouth swab!). Instead of just checking your iron or cholesterol, it dives deep—like “under-the-hood-of-your-DNA” deep. Why? Because H. pylori doesn’t just throw your gut off—it can mess with nutrient absorption, detox pathways, and even your mood. Your body might be trying to do its job but running low on the building blocks it needs—like trying to bake a cake with no flour, eggs, or will to live. This is where the 3X4 Genetic Blueprint Test comes in. It’s like getting a personalized manual for how your body wants to function. It tells you: How your genes influence digestion, inflammation, and detox If you’re a methylation rockstar—or if your pathways are more “Netflix buffering” How you metabolize nutrients (spoiler: you and kale might not be a match made in heaven) Quick methylation breakdown (without putting you to sleep): Methylation is your body’s behind-the-scenes crew. It helps detox, repair cells, balance mood, and even produce energy. If it’s not working properly—thanks to genes, gut bugs like H. pylori, or nutrient depletion—you might feel tired, anxious, or just plain “meh.” So while you’re healing from H. pylori, this kind of insight is gold. It helps your nutrition coach stop guessing and start customizing—because your gut deserves a healing plan as unique as your Netflix recommendations. Step 2: Hire a Nutrition Coach (AKA Your Food Therapist) After H. pylori, it’s tempting to panic-Google “anti-inflammatory superfoods” and build a diet based on kombucha and prayers. A nutrition coach helps you cut through the chaos and learn to love food again. They’ll help you: Rebuild your gut lining (think bone broth, not broken dreams) Eat in a way that doesn’t trigger your already annoyed digestive system Decode supplements without needing a PhD in biochemistry Quit blaming gluten for everything (unless, y’know, it is the problem) They also hold you accountable—because let’s be honest, left to your own devices, you’ll be Googling “Can I eat nachos on a gut-healing protocol?” And honestly, there most likely "is" a version of nachos that you can totally enjoy! Step 3: Laugh (Seriously) Gut health can be overwhelming, but stress makes everything worse. Laughter really is medicine (no copay required). Plus, nothing bonds you to your nutrition coach faster than admitting you ate a gas station burrito and now feel like a balloon animal. Final Thought: You’re Not Broken H. pylori is a pain, but it’s also a wake-up call. With the right tests and the right coach, you’ll go from “Why does everything I eat hurt?” to “Pass the sweet potato, I’m thriving!” So say goodbye to chronic indigestion, confusing food rules, and living in fear of your own stomach. You’ve got this. Your gut is about to make the ultimate comeback tour.
By Stephen Wise January 30, 2025
Sometimes what didn't work out for you - worked out for you! By: Dr. Stephen Wise, PsyD, CCTP - Life is full of disappointments, ranging from minor letdowns to devastating blows that feel impossible to recover from. Disappointment is a complex emotion, often intertwined with sadness, a sense of loss, or even failure. While disappointments are inevitable, how we process and respond to them shapes our ability to move forward. As the image I posted reminds us, sometimes what seems like a setback may actually be clearing the way for something bigger and better. Disappointments arise when expectations go unmet—and let’s be honest, living without expectations is nearly impossible. From a young age, we are surrounded by societal, familial, and personal pressures that only grow as we navigate adulthood. These expectations drive us toward success and happiness, but they also make us vulnerable to disappointment when life doesn’t go as planned. To help you face and move through these moments of disappointment, I’ve outlined seven practical steps for processing emotions and moving forward productively: 1. Acknowledge and Feel Your Emotions The first step in healing is to allow yourself to experience the full range of emotions—sadness, anger, hurt, or even despair. Give yourself the space and grace to adjust to what has happened. While it’s important to feel your emotions, don’t let them consume you indefinitely. Healing begins here, but survival requires forward movement. 2. Practice Acceptance Denial keeps you stuck. Accept what happened so you can shift into a problem-solving mode. Reflect on past experiences where you overcame setbacks—what strategies helped you regain your footing? Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up; it means letting go of resistance so you can reclaim your momentum. Dwelling on negativity can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. A positive outlook can help you maintain emotional balance, reduce the mental toll of disappointment, and foster a sense of hope. 3. Resist the Trap of Self-Pity After acknowledging your emotions and accepting reality, avoid falling into self-pity. Dwelling on "why me?" will only drain your emotional energy and keep you from feeling empowered. Disappointments can actually empower growth and often reveal areas where you can learn, improve, or pivot. By focusing on the lessons within the setback, you turn what feels like failure into an opportunity for personal or professional growth. 4. Let Go of Self-Blame It’s easy to internalize disappointments and blame yourself, but often, many factors contributing to an outcome are beyond your control. Recognize the difference between accountability and unfair self-blame and show yourself compassion. 5. Keep Perspective Put this experience into context within the broader scope of your life. Ask yourself: how significant will this moment feel a year from now? Challenges are opportunities to grow stronger and more resilient. Life’s "speed bumps" may feel jarring, but they prepare us for navigating even greater challenges. 6. Reflect and Learn Every disappointment holds a lesson. What has this experience taught you about your goals, priorities, or values? In my own journey, a significant disappointment helped me realize what I truly wanted from my career, leading me down a new and fulfilling path. Give yourself time for reflection and be open to the possibilities that follow. 7. Take Action Channel your energy into identifying the next opportunity. The excitement you felt for what didn’t work out can resurface as you pursue new goals. Don’t let pessimism or fear of failure hold you back from future prospects. With each new step, you’re moving closer to something better. How you handle difficulties can inspire those around you. Demonstrating positivity can encourage others to face their own challenges with grace and determination. Summary Disappointments, while painful, can become turning points in our lives. By processing our emotions and staying focused on the bigger picture, we not only recover but often emerge stronger, wiser, and more prepared for what lies ahead.
By Laurel Clayton-Seheult January 14, 2025
A Scientific Looks into How Your Gut Microbiome Affects Mental Wellness.