Imagine if you could look into a person's heart as if you're looking into an open wound. It rips, is vulnerable, and can be messy – but that's why it's so beautiful.
Now, imagine if you could do the same for yourself.
Loving yourself is not always easy, but it is so important. If you can’t love yourself, you can’t truly love anyone else.
Self-love is often misunderstood. People think it’s selfish or vain. But it’s neither of those things. It’s simply recognizing your worth and ensuring that you nurture and care for yourself – mind, body, and soul.
It is an essential aspect because it helps you to know your worth. It also allows you to develop a healthy sense of self-respect and boundaries. When you love yourself, you’re less likely to tolerate bad treatment from others.
If you’re not entirely sure how to start or even what self-love looks like, don’t worry. Here are five ways to begin practicing self-love today:
What Does Loving Yourself Mean?
I am not referring to giving yourself a big hug(although it helps) or telling yourself you are “the best thing since sliced bread.” Those things help, but they do not last.
The true definition of loving yourself is accepting yourself for who you are right now in this very moment(flaws and all). Knowing your worth, forgiving yourself, and most importantly, being kind to yourself!
This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s so important. You and you alone are responsible for your happiness. No one else can – or should – make you happy. When you wake up from that bed every day, what is the first thought that usually pops into your mind? If it’s something like “I hope today is a good day” or “I hope I don’t screw up today,” it might be time to reevaluate your thinking. Start each day with self-love and tell yourself, “I am amazing, and today will be a great day.”
The small things you do in life compound and create who you are as a person. So if all you ever do is put yourself down, how do you expect to see any change? Search for some habits to help you reach your goals. Take a look at “Habits That Shape Your Reality“.
How Can I Practice Self-Love?
Now, this may be different as there is no “one size fits all” answer, but these are some tips that help me out.
Pursue what fuels your passion!
Do things you love, whether a hobby, sport or activity. When you are doing something you are passionate about, it not only fills your time with positivity but also helps give you a sense of purpose.
Set boundaries with people
One of the hardest things to do is say “no” to people, especially if you are a people pleaser. But to love yourself, you need to put yourself first. If someone is constantly asking you for favors and not returning the favor, it might be time to set some boundaries.
Talk to yourself
Yes, talk to yourself. I am not saying to have an entire conversation with yourself out loud(unless you want to, no judgment here) but more so checking in with yourself. How are you feeling today? Why do you think that way? Address your emotions and allow yourself to process them.
You will be surprised at how doing this will help your inner dialogue and how you start to see yourself.
Why Is Self-Love So Important?
It is essential because it allows you to feel confident in your skin and make decisions based on what’s best for YOU instead of what’s best for everyone else. When you know how much you love yourself, it becomes easier to communicate with others and share your needs without fear of what they might think. It also helps keep toxic relationships at bay because you have a stronger sense of who YOU are.
If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.
How Do You Develop Self-Love?
The first thing to do when practicing self-love is to get comfortable with who you are right now. That means permitting yourself to say no if someone asks for something that doesn’t work for your schedule or personal needs (like taking time off from work). Also, permit yourself to say yes when something feels fun or exciting—even if it’s not what other people think you should do!
Self-love also means taking care of yourself physically by eating nourishing foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep. When you take care of your body, it’s easier to feel good about yourself on the inside and out.
What may be holding you back?
One of the main things that hold people back from self-love is perfectionism. Society has us believe that we need to be perfect to be loved, but that’s just not true! Everyone makes mistakes, and that’s okay. What matters is how you learn and grow, and if you are seeking a little more help, here is a helpful article I wrote last year that will help sort things out for you: “What’s Holding You Back?“
How Do You Practice Self-Love For Beginners?
If you’re like me and have a lot going on, it can be hard to slow down enough to take some time for yourself. But if you want to truly love yourself before you can love anyone else (including your partner), then you need to make time for yourself.
It’s easy to love yourself when you’re doing things that make you feel good, but it’s also important to remember that self-love isn’t just about what you do for yourself.
It’s about how you treat yourself. Just follow these simple steps:
1) Look at yourself in the mirror and ensure you look at your best side. This is important because if you don’t feel good about yourself, no one else will.
2) Start small. Focus on the little things that make you feel good about yourself—like doing your nails or getting a massage. You don’t need to do anything big or grandiose—focus on taking care of yourself in ways that make sense for your life.
A few other helpful suggestions:
- Take a bath
- Watch a movie
- Go shopping
- Read a book
3) Give yourself a break! Everyone makes mistakes and does dumb stuff sometimes, even when trying their best and trying to be excellent. Just let it go! Permit yourself to be imperfect, and know that it’s okay when things don’t go exactly as planned.
Self-love is a vital part of self-care and is essential to your happiness. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t deserve it. You do, and it’s about time you start believing it. With love, there’s nothing you can’t overcome in your life—sometimes, that love must come from within first.
This has been “5 Ways You Can Practice Self-Love Today To Instantly Feel Happier” if you found it helpful, please like and share it with your friends or family member who can benefit from it.
