Learning To Love Yourself After Cancer

Published on: 09/30/15

Feeling like damaged goods is a side effect of cancer we don’t often talk about. Damaged by scars inside and out. Even with a positive outcome from treatment, or a “full recovery” expected, patients often feel less attractive, less feminine, less masculine, and less sexy. Learning to love and accept yourself again, as you are, is essential to finding intimacy again. The relationship you have with yourself is the foundation for all other relationships.

You are more than your new hair, your scarred breasts, or your inability to do everything you could before cancer. You have survived what others describe as the most feared event in a lifetime. You’re a new person. Since cancer life has changed in many ways and so have you, that doesn’t mean that change can’t be for the better. You can’t always control what happens to you but you can control how you react to it. You aren’t defined by your physical changes since cancer, and a daily reminder of your strengths, courage, and goodness will go a long way to changing that negative image of yourself.

Who are the most beautiful people in your life?

Why did you choose them?

What features, characteristics, or personality traits make them beautiful?

Do you judge yourself the same way or do you operate under a double standard? It’s time to stop being your own worst critic.  You have much to admire, appreciate and love about yourself– Let’s focus on that now and every day.

If you found this video helpful, subscribe to receive email updates and never miss a video.  Thanks for watching, and as always, comments and questions are welcomed. You can reach me in the comment section below, or at erin@aftercancer.co.