Self love is where it all starts

If you’ve known me for a while you know how I feel about #dating 🙄 Specifically in Utah and in the LDS/Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) culture. {Disclaimer: I love my church and the gospel and principles that are associated with it. The culture that some people associate with the religion is..... interesting, to say the least.}

Anywho, I don’t date often. I’m focusing on University and my relationship with God, trying figure out things in my life and I don’t want to add the pressure, etc. of a romantic entanglement into that. (Yes, I know that a relationship can bring sooo many positives and blessings into my life, but this is how my mind works.) Heavenly Father and I have had a LOT of long talks over the past few months. It’s been really wonderful to recognize His plan for me and to feel His love and guidance. Over the years I’ve told Him many times that I’m giving up dating.

Many friends and I have joked about becoming the first “Mormon nuns”, so that we wouldn’t have to worry about men and relationships 😂 But it wasn’t a joking matter for me. If there really was the opportunity to swear off men and dedicate my life to God and service in the church I would do it. (That’s what my thought process has been for the past 2 years.)

But over the past few months as I’ve had these conversations with God, as I’ve learned about myself, as I’ve taken an Institute class called The Diving Design of Dating (don’t ask me why I signed up for that class when I’d sworn off guys, it doesn’t make sense to me either), I guess you could say my heart had been softened. And IT NEEDED IT.

I didn’t realize that I really had closed my heart off and put up soo many walls. I’m not going to take them all down, but I’m willing to lower a drawbridge and let some people in now.

Anyways, God and I both know that there are people here at Dixie that I need to get to know and that need to get to know me. So, I’m going to take the first step and open up. (If you’ve read this far, you are an amazing friend & I thank you for that).

Here’s another one of my favorite books. “Dating for Under a Dollar: 301 Ideas”.

This book offers so many fun, affordable ideas of how to go on dates and get to know people.

I used to have a dating box with 100+ date ideas. A few months ago I realized that every time I looked at the box I’d think of my ex, so I got rid of it.

I’ve decided to start over. Now, I present to you the Activity Jar.

I gave y’all a sneak peek of some of the activities. If you are interested in doing ANY of these, please let me know 🙂

Here’s to starting over & also taking care of my own #mentalhealth because self love is where it all starts.

Love,

D. J.