Loving yourself can be hard if you’re not used to it. It can feel awkward, selfish, and self-centred. But self-love is none of those things. Self-love helps you become more at peace with yourself and not only benefits you but also all those around you. So if you’re ready to start loving yourself today, let’s begin.
Start Your Day with Kind Words
Self-talk can make or break us. Being kind to ourselves and speaking positively can set us up for success in all areas of life. Choosing to speak to ourselves as if we would speak to a friend can take a bit of work, but the results of building yourself up instead of tearing yourself down every day soon add up.
This is an intentional habit that requires consistency to master. Start simple by saying a few kind words about yourself each morning. Then, when you notice yourself internally beating yourself up over something, take the time to reflect and replace the negativity with a more neutral thought. Once this is a habit, you can switch it straight to a positive one!
Prioritize Your Needs
Every day our needs are different—some days we need more rest and space than others. Putting yourself first and prioritising what you need is a strong sign of self-love. On days when you listen to what your body needs, you’re affirming to your mind that you are important.
This has so many benefits, as you come back more refreshed and focused and are a better support for those around you.
Set Loving Boundaries
If you’re a people pleaser, setting boundaries can be difficult, but you will benefit the most from doing this. Listen to your body and learn what energises you and what drains you. Set boundaries with yourself to create distance from those that bring down your energy levels, and add more of what makes you happy into your life.
If you are firm with your boundaries, you will be able to free up more time doing what you love.
Forgive Yourself Often
Being human, we all make mistakes. How we handle situations when things go wrong shows the kind of person we are. Forgive yourself for making mistakes—we all make them. Grow and learn from them each day. Don’t be held back by the past. Allow yourself the freedom to move forward.
Celebrate Your Wins (Big or Small)
Some days we do amazing things, like finish a project or complete a goal. Other days, success comes from just climbing out of bed in the morning. Praise yourself for every win!
Every day is different, but each accomplishment is still important to celebrate and is still a step towards your goals. Celebrating all wins shows yourself that you are proud of yourself and builds self-confidence and self-love.
Loving Yourself Is a Daily Practice
Self-love looks different for everyone every day. Take time to work on positive habits that help build you up and make you feel confident and loved every day.