How to Avoid Loving Yourself

What to do when loving yourself just isn't an option

Some things don't need an intro or an explanation. Avoiding the work of loving ourselves is one of them. If you’re like me, you’re an expert avoidance artist.

Here is the Day 11 Poem of Dear Me, I Love You: A Year of Love Poems to Myself.

How To Avoid Loving Yourself
by Louise Gallagher

Blame: 
 others, 
  yourself, 
   the past, 
    the system, 
     the rich, 
      the poor. 
Blame someone, anyone, everyone
Blame yourself if all else fails.

If even that fails, blame the toilet,
and then clean it.
(A practical, convenient 
and socially acceptable tool 
to avoid everything.)

Overeat. 
 Overspend. 
  Overindulge. 
   Overdrink. 
    Oversleep. 
     Over-veg-out.
      Doom scroll.
Underachieve. 
 Underdeliver. 
  Under commit. 
   Undermine someone, anyone, everyone 
    Undervalue yourself.

Watch a scary movie that truly terrifies you
let your mind be consumed with celluloid fears, 
so you don't have to face the one that matters most
and do the one thing you’re most afraid of.

Love yourself.