How to practice self-love every day
The journey of self-discovery is a lifelong one. It is a journey that is unique to each of us and one that is never truly finished. However, there are certain things that you can do to help move your self-discovery along.
One of the most important things you can do is practice self-love. Self-love is the foundation which everything else is built upon. It is the cornerstone of a happy and fulfilling life.
More often than not, we end up being our own worst critics. We are quick to judge and criticise ourselves yet slow to forgive.
One of the great truths of life is that we need to learn to be gentler and more compassionate with ourselves. We need to learn to love ourselves – warts and all.
Not sure how to practice self-love? Don’t worry – help is on hand!
Let’s explore how you can start practising self-love today.
It all starts with YOU
The first and most important step in practising self-love is to accept yourself. Acceptance is paramount if you are to love yourself unconditionally. Embrace who you are – flaws and all. Only when you accept yourself for who you really are can you genuinely practice self-love.
It sounds a lot easier than it is, I know! Accepting yourself unconditionally can be challenging, particularly if you’ve struggled with issues such as insecurity or low self-esteem.
However, it is possible to learn to accept yourself by reminding yourself that you are worthy and capable of incredible things. Even if you don’t feel it deep down, if you keep telling yourself you are worthy and capable, eventually, that belief will become ingrained within you.
Set time aside for YOU
Life is busy, but you must remember to make time for yourself. This could be as simple as taking time out of our day to just sit in your car for five minutes before going into the house or for a leisurely walk. It is vital to have time to relax and just be. Alternatively, this could be a specific activity you set aside exclusively for yourself. It could be painting, writing, or playing a sport. Anything that you find enjoyable can be used to practice self-love. What matters is that it is something that makes you feel good.
Remember, taking time out of your day to do something that makes you happy is OK.
Get to know YOU
Another way to practice self-love is to get to know yourself. This is an essential step in the process, as it is only when you really understand yourself that you can fully love yourself. Get to know your likes and dislikes, hopes and fears, and strengths and weaknesses. Spend time reflecting on what is important to you and your values.
One way to get to know yourself better is to keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be extremely therapeutic. It is also a great way to explore your innermost thoughts and feelings. Keeping a journal can open a window into your inner world and help you better understand yourself.
Talk positively to YOU
What you tell yourself significantly impacts how you feel about yourself. If you’re constantly speaking to yourself negatively and belittling yourself, it is unlikely that you’ll love yourself.
Therefore, it is essential to talk to yourself with love and compassion. Remind yourself that you are capable and worthy.
Talk to yourself as you would talk to someone you love. Compliment yourself, forgive yourself when you make mistakes, and believe in yourself and your potential.
Forgive YOU
Making mistakes is a part of life – it’s how you learn and grow. We all make mistakes, and no one is perfect. Therefore, it is vital to learn to forgive yourself for your mistakes and to move on.
If you find yourself being too hard on yourself, remember that it is OK to make mistakes and that you are only human.
You are doing the best that you can with the resources that you have!
Don’t beat yourself up when something doesn’t turn out the way you expected; instead, be proud that you took a leap of faith and tried your best.
Put YOU first
Too often, we are so focussed on pleasing others that we forget to take care of ourselves. You need to get into the habit of putting yourself first – before your partners, friends, and family.
Putting yourself first is not selfishness. It’s simply being mindful that you have needs and deserve to have them met too.
Start by creating a list of your needs. This could be anything from sleeping 8 hours a night to taking a break from social media. Put yourself first and ensure that the needs on your list get met.
Remember, you cannot take care of anyone else if you do not take care of yourself first.
Compliment YOU
It can be so easy to get so hung up on your flaws that you forget to acknowledge your strengths and accomplishments.
Start to turn this around and make a conscious effort to compliment yourself. Remind yourself of what you do well and what you are proud of.
This can be anything from the mundane, such as praising yourself for making your bed each morning, to the more significant, such as praising yourself for getting a promotion or learning a new skill.
It is important to recognise and celebrate your small and large wins alike.
Be patient with YOU
Learning to practice self-love is a journey, and it is not something that you will learn overnight.
It will take time and practice to love yourself, and you must be patient with yourself. Accept that there will be hard days and that that is OK. It is all part of the process.
If you find it hard to be patient with yourself, remind yourself that you are doing your best and that your journey is unique to you.
Celebrate the small victories, and strive to love yourself a little bit more every day.
So, here’s to loving YOU!
If you struggle on your journey to loving yourself at any point, you are not alone. There are plenty of resources available, such as transformational coaching.