[MusicLover82]

This is a POSITIVE follow-up to my post about loneliness due to MI (trigger warning to that post due to the depressive nature of it): http://forums.psychcentral.com/bipol...ly-due-mi.html

So my question for you is this: if you feel lonely like I do sometimes, how do you care for yourself in a way that you don't feel lonely anymore? What kind of kind words do you say to yourself concerning your mental illness or mental wellness? Or maybe it's not words, it is something else. It occurs to me that which I may be seeking outside of me is already within me. It occurs to me that I need to be loving myself, not seeking love and approval from everyone else.

How do you care for yourself emotionally? Do you tell yourself "I love you" on a daily basis or anything along those lines? What is your self-love practice?

[Gabyunbound]

I struggle with social isolation at times, which brings up feelings of guilt and embarrassment. I tell myself that, though there's room for improvement in this area, it's okay to be this way, to seek to feel safe in any way I can, in the ways I do. It's part of who I am and there's no need to feel embarrassed by it.

[Camelot67]

So my question for you is this: if you feel lonely like I do sometimes, how do you care for yourself in a way that you don't feel lonely anymore? What kind of kind words do you say to yourself concerning your mental illness or mental wellness? Or maybe it's not words, it is something else. It occurs to me that which I may be seeking outside of me is already within me. It occurs to me that I need to be loving myself, not seeking love and approval from everyone else.

How do you care for yourself emotionally? Do you tell yourself "I love you" on a daily basis or anything along those lines? What is your self-love practice?[/QUOTE]

I struggle with self love everyday. My bipolar has made it difficult to make friends and have relationships so I feel lonely quite often. To make myself feel better I go to the movies. I'm surrounded by people who have a common interest with me and I don't feel quite as lonely. I make it a point to go out at least once a week and do something I enjoy; movies ,eating out ,take my dog to the dog park or go for a long walk; what ever makes me happy. This is my version of self love.

I remind myself that I have overcome a lot in my life. I focus on my positive qualities. I try to be compassionate with myself.

[goldenglitters]

I tell myself that it will be okay, that I love myself, with my sparkling creativity or when I'm a antisocial wreck. It's okay. Nobody's perfect! And the changes is also what makes us human. I mean it takes practice. Alssooooo I find meditation really helpful. I have this bead-thingy where I say a mantra over and over again, maybe replacing that with like " I love you, you are great " or something similar ( ignoring that it will sound ridiculous! ) might help??