No time to read? No problem! I’ll read the article to you.
I’ve been listening to Learning to Love Yourself by Gay Hendricks. Even though the book received criticism from Psychology Today, it found its way into millions of hands and hearts, proving that “peer reviews” don’t always dictate the value of knowledge & wisdom. This book is a gem and I highly recommend it.
Learning to love ourselves can be challenging because we are programmed by:
Social and cultural conditioning that dictates how we should act, look, and think.
Media messages that tell us happiness is just one product or procedure away.
A relentless economy that fosters an endless cycle of work, debt, and consumption, leaving little room for introspection.
For much of my life, I tried to drown out this noise, and my own pain, through self-medication. My broadcasting career became the backdrop to my struggles with mental health and addictions. It wasn’t until my life became completely unmanageable that I made the decision to check myself into a 30-day rehab program.
Back then, the dominant recovery framework was the 12-Step Program. While it offered some guidance, what truly opened my heart to healing were the alternative tools introduced by the rehab’s director who was a practicing Buddhist. He shared a broader perspective on recovery & life that planted seeds that would still take years to blossom.
The road to recovery was far from linear for me. For 8 long years, I stumbled, fell, and stood up again. It was only through persistence and self-discovery that I found the right combination of tools to maintain freedom from addictions.
Today, I often remind others, and myself, that – “We are not the sum of our setbacks, but the heroes of our relentless comebacks.”
As we step into 2025, many of us feel the pressure of making and keeping resolutions. It’s a well-worn tradition, one that often leads to self-criticism when we inevitably fall short. This cycle is as old as humanity itself.
We procrastinate, telling ourselves we’ll start tomorrow, next week, or “when the time is right.” But as the days slip by, uneasiness grows, and we remain stuck. Even ancient texts warned against this tendency. The Bible,
in James 4:13-14, cautions against arrogance in assuming we’ll have more time:
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
So, why wait? What stops you from living authentically, loving deeply, and pursuing what truly matters?
Here are a few things to start the ball rolling in the right direction:
Speak out for what you believe in.
Stop sweating the small stuff.
And – most importantly… stop deferring the dreams, actions, or conversations you know are essential to your soul.
We can’t assume we have six more years – or even six more weeks. What we do have is today, this moment, and the gift of this life. Use it.
When you’re ready to build habits that support mental health and self-compassion, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a line at
info@redroofrecovery.com.
Together, we can take the first steps toward your journey of healing and transformation.
May the force be with you and, remember…
YOU are the force!
About the Author:
Tanya MacIntyre is a Certified CBT Practitioner, Mental Health Professional, and
owner/operator of Red Roof Recovery.
DISCLAIMER: This content is not intended to constitute, or be a substitute for, medical
diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard medical advice from a doctor, or delay in
seeking it, because of something you have watched, read, or heard from anyone at Red
Roof Recovery.