5 Simple Ways to Practice Self-Love
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably blessed to be surrounded by so many people you love—your spouse, children, parents, siblings, friends, coworkers, neighbors. They’re the people you continually (and happily) give your love, time, devotion and energy to. And while showing them compassion, kindness and generosity is one of the greatest things you can do, it’s also important to show that same devotion and care to one more person: yourself. After all, how can you expect to fully give your love to others if you don’t know how to give it to yourself? That’s why this February, we’re focusing on something we often forget how to do: love, accept and appreciate who we are, exactly as we are.
And becoming a master of self-love doesn’t make us selfish or self-centered or any less dedicated to loving those around us. In fact, learning how to love ourselves and truly accepting who we are, flaws and all, makes us so much more capable of unconditionally loving others.
So how do you show yourself love? There are a million different ways, but here are just five of our favorite ideas for nurturing self-love this (and every) month.
Take some ‘me’ time every day. Whether it’s a 15-minute soak in the tub, a walk around the neighborhood, reading a few chapters in a book, or taking time to quietly meditate, doing something peaceful that you enjoy is a guilt-free and much-needed way to spoil yourself.
Praise yourself a little. Each day, make an effort to recognize yourself for something awesome that you did or achieved throughout the day. Even better: Write it down in a journal so you can reflect on all the wonderful things about yourself when you need a boost of self-confidence.
Silence your inner critic. Words matter, especially when it comes to the sometimes-harsh things we tend to say to ourselves. Next time you notice any critical self-thinking, call that little voice out and flip the script, focusing instead on something positive about yourself. You can also create and recite a self-love mantra when you’re struggling to be kind to yourself.
Take care of your body + mind. One of the kindest things you can do for yourself is to focus on your wellness. Find a physical activity you actually enjoy and do it regularly; eat better and more mindfully; and take time every day to calm your body and mind through meditation. Our Rose Quartz Mala Necklace is the perfect piece to meditate with when you’re looking to embody love and compassion toward yourself and others.
Surround yourself with self-love gurus. When possible, choose to spend time with individuals who are positive and well-versed in self-love. The simple act of being around people who unconditionally accept and embrace themselves can give you an instant boost of confidence that helps you embody self-love, too.
What will you do this month to show yourself a little more self-love? Share it with us in the comments section below or on Facebook or Instagram.
Wishing you self-love + wellness,
JPC
