When I was growing up, I didn’t really understand what self love was. And I only really got a deep understanding of what that meant, and a firm grasp on it myself when I went through therapy; my full story on that is over here.And now, years later, I’m 29 writing this, and I definitely wholeheartedly use running as a type of self love.
Lots of people read; I just don’t have the attention span to stay focused on the sentences! Some people game or stream; I tried to get into that, tried to become a ‘girl gamer’, and I just got frustrated. It wasn’t for me.
Now, I have lots of ways I give myself care.
My top tips to great selfcare
- A good bubble bath with relaxing bath salts – not too hot (I have ezcema so this is important, otherwise it can make really itchy)
- A good face mask or nail painting session.
- A good run!
How’s running good for self love?
It might not seem believable when you see so many runners in the middle of their run, and they don’t look very happy! Everything is aching, something is cramping, they’re tired and they just want to stop now. So how’s that good self love?
Well, the idea of “no pain, no gain” is slightly at play here, in my opinion. When you get through that ‘wall’, there’s nothing quite like knowing you did it.
Every run is proof that you CAN
While the physical impact of running is obviously intense, pushing through and proving you can do it, is incredibly empowering. For example, we live near a bit of a hill, and every single time I go for a run outdoors, I have to face that uphill battle at the end of my route.
Think of it like this. If every single time you face that hill, and you do it, you’re giving your brain evidence that you can do hard things. That’s a form of self love people!
Learning to love your puffy, red, runner’s face
I follow my dad in this respect. And I bet lots of runners go really red when they’ve been running. I’ve often come back from a run and someone will look at me shocked.. because I look so red.
Blimey, good run, was it?
Yes, it was, hard. That’s usually what I’ll say. But it’s normally pride answering! This red puffy face tells me I’ve worked my 29 year old body hard. I’ve exercised it. And as I grow older into my 60s, 70s, 80s.. That body will thank me.
I run for me. But I run for the elderly lady version of me too. I want to get to 70 or 80 and not feel broken.. Or at least, less broken than the average 80 year old!
Let me go back to that red puffy face..
I’m a very fair-skinned, freckly, long-legged, frizzy haired brunette. And I’ve struggled with the freckles, the frizz and the pale complexion for years. But when I see my face go all red and sweaty… It reminds me that I’m so much more than that.
You’re so much more than what you look like. My red puffy face, and her heart, and legs and machine of a cardio body, can do hard things! I get enjoyment out of steadily jogging for an hour. I push my body’s capabilities and find it a hobby I quite like…
So, actually, running reminds me that there’s beauty and magic in that. It can teach you to shift your perspective… So, let me re-frame my first statement to this:
My mom gave me wavy brown curls, I’m tall, and even though I don’t tan very well, my heart is in really good health and I’m thankful for that!
Written by Katie McDonald, 1st April 2025.
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