People seem to think that self-love can only look one way. It’s usually in the form of a spa night: face masks, bath time, glass of wine, and a candle burning. Don’t get me wrong, who doesn’t loveeeee one of those nights? Am I right? We’ve all been trained to think that self-love = physical self-care with beauty products and things to make us esthetically pleasing.
Self-Love is so much more than that. In order to get the full benefits of this, we need to treat ourselves like the complex beings that we are through physical, mental, and spiritual healing methods. When we divide our needs into thinking that self-care can only be an activity for a spa or your bathroom, we are limiting how we can fulfill our lives.
In the dictionary, Self-Love used to be considered “inflated love of or pride in oneself: narcissism or conceit.” I’m so pleased that within the last 5 years the definition of self-love has shifted from a selfish mindset to one of self-respect and something required of ourselves. “An appreciation of one’s own worth or virtue or proper regard for and attention to one’s own happiness or well-being,” are the top 2 definitions currently on the Merriam-Webster website. I’m so happy that we’ve finally come around as a society to see the importance of self-love in so many different aspects of our life.
Below I’ve listed off 30 of my favorite ways to practice self-love. I have also organized them into 3 different sections: Mental, Physical and Spiritual. I believe that we need to focus on all 3 to feel complete and whole in our lives.
Mental
1. Play with your pet or go to an animal cafe.
2. Learn a new skill you’ve always wanted to try.
3. Practice forgiveness for the one’s who’ve wronged you.
4. Set boundaries around draining people or activities.
5. Give yourself time and space to do nothing.
6. Laugh with your loved ones. (comedy show, movie/TV, playing games..)
7. Avoid multi-tasking and be present.
8. Declutter regularly, live as minimal as possible without excess.
9. Create something with your hands. (card, candle, jewelry..)
10. Mentor a younger person who needs your guidance.
Physical
1. Focus on skincare: dry-brushing, masks, scrubs, lotions, clean beauty.
2. Enjoy a warm bath to relax the muscles.
3. Sweat regularly to detox the body. (working out, Sauna, sex..)
4. Burn candle or use essential oil diffusers.
5. Experience nature: hikes, walk, swim, smelling flowers, collecting shells/leaves.
6. Dance for joy, whether in class or on the town.
7. Eat as plant based as possible, organic is best.
8. Get 7-8 hours of deep sleep every night.
9. Enjoy a warm cup of tea to soothe your nerves, digestion, and mind.
10. Drink ½ body weight in water (ounces).
Spiritual
1. Meditation with purpose: mantras, music, morning.
2. Grounded morning routine.
3. Yoga & stretching.
4. Journal your thoughts, expressing emotion through writing.
5. Practice gratitude.
6. Write a letter or card to a friend or someone you admire, thanking them for their impact in your life.
7. Listen, sing or create music that fills your soul.
8. Dedicate your life to a higher power to let go of controlling your life.
9. Reflect regularly on your goals and the progress you’ve been making.
10. Take care of a plant.
Schedule some time everyday for 1 thing from each category. You will start to see a shift in how you treat yourself internally as well as externally. I cannot stress enough about how practicing self-love on a regular basis has changed my life. It has changed my view of others, myself, and my journey through this life. I hope it will inspire you to see yourself and your life in a new light.
Tell me your favorite self-love activity in the comments below! The one I’m working on right now is avoiding multi-tasking and being more present in my life. What’s yours?
Recent Comments