JUST LOVE YOURSELF & Other Lies

By Kirsten Penk

People often explain self-love as though it is a natural instinct and we should all know exactly what to do when our bodies need a little more care and attention than usual.

“Just focus on yourself more” has become a cringeworthy, dreaded phrase that no one wishes to hear when they’re looking for advice. That’s because the real question is how.

We don’t really need to be told to love ourselves more, because we know that, but we need advice on how to do it.

Social media influencers will share their self-care routines as if all their products are accessible. So whilst they’re selling you their partnership deals with a flashy smile and a screen full of inspirational quotes, everyone else is still left on the elusive “how?” question.

When positivity is forced onto us like this, it can often lead to a sense of guilt that you’re not a ball of happy-golucky sunshine 24/7, which is where the #uckthefilter campaign and the ethos of Be Bold Be You comes in.

Here, we are advocates of people’s stories, voices and experiences. UK society now seems to understand that we can’t feel happy all of the time, and Be Bold Be You meets so many who want to learn how to practice self care but aren’t sure how to.

Whether you are prone to down days, stress too often, have experienced something that led to trauma, or are just simply trying to find the new you, we hear you.

Here, at Be Bold Be You, we don’t work with professional models - we work with real women. The three stories you’re about to read about here are from women based right here, in the Midlands. It just shows that with a little bit of confidence, and a dollop of self care you can feel on top of your own world.

BBBY do not work with professional models, they work with real women.