Self-love is a popular concept, but what does it mean? Self-love is having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness without sacrificing your needs to please others. Self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support physical, psychological, and spiritual growth. Since we all have a unique way of loving ourselves, it may look a little different for everyone.
To show yourself more love, practice self-care by addressing your basic needs such as incorporating good nutrition, exercise, proper sleep, intimacy, and healthy social interactions into your daily life.
Self-love is the total acceptance of who, and what you are – the appreciation and affirmation of yourself that is essential for good health, great self-esteem, happiness, total balance, and well-being. Self-love is necessary to experiencing a healthy lifestyle filled with inner peace and positivity, so find easy ways to include it daily. Put yourself first for a change and see what a difference it makes in everything you do!
Here are some ways to show kindness to yourself every day.
Good self-care
Take 20- 30 minutes in the morning or evening for reading, listening, or watching something that boosts, helps you to understand yourself and the world, or creates a more fulfilling life. Practice mindfulness activities such as a yoga class, taking a walk after work, downloading a meditation app. Something that helps promote self-acceptance, the most important element of loving yourself.
Appreciate yourself
Think of the things you have accomplished personally and professionally that you are proud of
and give yourself a pat on the back. It takes a lot of time and effort to accomplish your goals and start winning.
Practice forgiveness
Self-love requires the ability to forgive yourself for past mistakes. Punishing your present and future self over mistakes will stifle your growth and keep you stuck! Remember perfection doesn’t exist in this world. Valuable, often priceless lessons are learned by mistakes.
Practice gratitude
Gratitude is an easy way to train your brain to be more positive by focusing on the good in yourself and in your life which generates an overall feeling of happiness.
Set boundaries
You find it hard to say NO because as a woman you’re programmed to take care of everyone else first. Trying to make everyone happy will only slow you down on your journey to being the best you. Set the boundaries to let other people know that you expect respect, especially when you say “no” to put your needs before others.
Good riddance
Getting rid of old things to make room for new to enter your life is therapeutic. One way to cleanse your mind is to let go of clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc., that remind you of a negative time in your life. You can’t change what has already happened; just love yourself enough to know the best is yet to come.
Stop comparing
Stop comparing yourself to others, especially while scrolling through social media filled with your favorite personalities in a photoshoot to promote a new book or just right after an awesome shopping spree. Remember that everyone has challenging days and these positive pictures don’t tell the whole story.
Community support
Surround yourself with a supportive community to feel loved and motivated to reach your potential. Whether you’re building a network or planning to go to a fun event, positive energy is contagious so it’s important to have a community you value around you.
Happy Place
Visualize the place that you feel the happiest and experience just being there. Sit quietly and embrace the here and now, turning off all work and home stress. Inhale peace and calm and exhale all stressors.
Do more of what you love
Doing more of what you love is the ultimate self-esteem booster! Self-esteem and self-love often go hand in hand and participating in an activity you’re good at will increase your endorphins and bring out the best version of you. If you love to cook, then cook! If you love to run, then grab those sneakers, head outside, and run.
Being kind to yourself by practicing self-love daily is the best way to create inner peace and enjoy a healthier, happier life. What are some things you’re going to do or do more of to experience greater joy in your incredible life? Remember to just have fun!
I recommend reading, “Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be”, by Steven Pressfield to get a fresh perspective about becoming the best self you were born to be.
Step out in the style you love!
