Life is busy and, honestly, a little overwhelming, even for someone over thirty like me. That’s why it’s so important to slow down and practice self-love.
Between work, relationships, and trying to keep up with everyone’s version of success, it’s easy to lose sight of yourself. It’s okay to stumble along, but give yourself some grace at the end of the day.
These are the tips that helped me embrace self-love. Not in a cliché way, but in a real, intentional way that helps you show up for yourself every day. I hope they guide you in your journey to become the best version of you.
Table of contents
What is Self-Love?
Self-love is when you prioritize your own needs and happiness to become a better version of yourself. I am not an expert in this subject, but I am here to share my journey in cultivating the life I want. It will take a lot of determination, and you will have to learn to let go of several things for your own well-being.
Learning to appreciate yourself and put your needs before those of others is a challenging process. But, you will save yourself a lot of stress in the long run.
Why is self-love important?
Self-love means making time to take care of yourself and meet all, or most, of your basic needs will help you create a happier life. You increase your self-esteem and overall well-being. Your relationship and productivity will improve.
I understand that nobody’s perfect, but at the end of the day, I still want to feel good in my own body. Self-love means making time to take care of yourself, and meeting all, or most, of your basic needs will help you create the life you desire.
It’s true that there’s a lot going on in everyone’s life, but knowing your own value should not be this difficult. When you find yourself trying too hard, something is clearly wrong. I encourage you to take a step back and address it.
Set some goals that you want to improve for yourself. It can be anything from improving your mental health by sleeping better to dedicating more time to trying something new. Whatever you choose, be sure to choose for you.
How to practice self-love?
Practicing self-love does not mean going on an expensive vacation or treating yourself to a shopping spree. I used to think these were forms of self-care at the time. No, what I mean is taking the time to appreciate and rediscover yourself.
Everyone is different, and that is why I presented a variety of suggestions on how to practice self-love. These are small, simple methods that you can easily implement in your daily life.
1. Set Healthy Boundaries
A great way to practice self-love is to learn to set boundaries by saying no unapologetically. Your time is valuable, so it’s important to use it wisely for yourself and with others.
Setting healthy boundaries in a toxic relationship can be challenging, but it is necessary for your well-being. Demanding respect in a toxic relationship is a form of self-love, and if you have to remove yourself from that situation, remind yourself that it is okay.
2. Forgive Yourself
For the sake of your own emotional health, acknowledge that you cannot undo your history and work to become the person you wish to be. Stop comparing yourself, because everyone makes mistakes, but we cannot let our previous actions define us.
These negative thoughts will do you no good in cultivating self-love. Forgive yourself and focus on the future because you deserve to give yourself a second chance. Remember, it’s okay to ask for support when you need it.
3. Affirmations
This is one of the best self-love methods, in my opinion, that you should implement immediately every day. Say something good about yourself. You will overcome your inner critic and feel more confident.
Affirmations are a great way to acknowledge and change your perspective of yourself. I recommend a wonderful book to practice self-love: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Dr. Shad Helmstetter. He discusses the importance of how communicating with yourself affects your mental health.
I hope this book offers you as much value as it did me.
4. Gratitude Journal
Taking time to write down your blessing is an excellent method of self-care. It’s a simple way to pause, appreciate what you have, and increase your self-compassion and mental health.
I write a list of 3-5 things that I am thankful for every day. It can be as small as receiving a hug from my husband to something big, such as getting a great review from a client.
You will find that writing down grateful moments is worthy of your time and energy. This form of self-love will change your perspective and emotions by helping you realize that you’ve always had enough.
5. Practice Mindfulness
Similar to gratitude, to be mindful is to be selective with your thoughts in order to promote positive feelings. Pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment, creating awareness.
I catch myself in the middle of a negative thought some days. Being more self-aware, I am able to take a moment to breathe and refocus on something more positive. Practicing to be more present every day has helped me overcome a lot of my anxieties.
6. Indulge In Your Hobbies
Indulging in your hobbies or trying something new is an opportunity for self-love. Doing something you enjoy allows you to express yourself creatively and reduces your stress levels.
For example, knitting draws my attention away from all my worries and allows me to enjoy time for myself. Making time for my needs has improved my relationships with my husband and children, and they absolutely support my knitting hobby.
7. Celebrate Victories
Celebrating your achievements, no matter how big or small, is the easiest form of self-love you can do. Treat yourself to a day at the spa or your favorite foods. You can celebrate these feelings of victory with your friends and family. Make it a big deal because you deserve it.
I love noodles, and so I will treat myself to a delicious bowl of noodles. Sometimes, I treat myself to a new book at my favorite local bookstore.
Start Loving Yourself Today
In the pursuit of practicing self-love, the journey is never easy, and self-compassion can often feel like the most daunting task. If you can show empathy and love for others, why not show the same support for yourself?
Remember, seeking professional help is always an option if the burden becomes too heavy to bear alone. As someone who is extremely hard on herself, I know self-compassion is hard. Incorporate these self-love practices into your daily routine. Even if you can only do one, such as writing one gratitude a day.
That first step will bring you one step closer to becoming a better version of yourself. I wish you luck in your journey!