How do you practice self-love?
Personally, I feel there are two ways. 1) How you talk to yourself and 2) How you treat yourself. I’ve mentioned somewhere else on the Blog that the appreciation of oneself is the highest vibrational frequency we can be on and we should be making a consistent effort to do it (at least every day) just because of this reason alone. Like everything else, it’s a habit you practice until you get great at it. In this much-requested blog post, I highlight 5 powerful ways to practice self-love.
We don’t come from a culture that encourages self-love, self-worth, or self-awareness which is why it’s not spoken about often. Yes, there’s a lot more information available nowadays about self-care and boundaries, so people have become more aware of why this is so important. But for the most part, not many understand real self-love and why it’s critical to love yourself. It’s more than just bubble baths and drinking your favorite lattes (although I love doing both of these things to show myself love). You’re after a deep feeling inside, a solid weight that settles and anchors you. When you love yourself, you release all expectations of perfection or people-pleasing. You don’t pay attention to what the world says so much, because you lead yourself. Also, you have a healthy respect and admiration for the person you are and the person you were in the past. You understand that life experiences have taught you to be wiser and better. You’re also in harmony with everything about you. I’ve spent years trying out different ways to practice self-love. I’ve done every suggestion that I’ve come across, and found a few that were more powerful than others.
1. Gratitude lists
When was the last time you wrote a gratitude list for YOURSELF? Try this exercise for 30 days – every morning wake up and make a list of 10 things that you love about yourself. It’s not as easy as you think it will be. And that’s how you know it’s something you need to actively work on until it becomes second-nature to you.
2. Mirror work
How do you talk to yourself when you look at yourself in the mirror? Try this exercise for 30 days – every morning after brushing your teeth, tell yourself 5 different things that you appreciate about yourself (past or present). Saying loving things to yourself about yourself is also not that easy when you start.
3. Self-care
How you treat yourself is a cue for how others are treating you. Try this exercise for 30 days – do one self-care thing daily. Examples. Go for a 5 minute walk in the sun, enjoy your favorite hot beverage in 5 minutes of silence, curl up with that book you’ve been wanting to read, or make yourself something you love for dinner.
4. Release toxic relationships
Do you have toxic relationships in your life that you feel obligated to keep? Let. Them. Go. Any relationship that’s harmful to your mental, emotional or physical health and well-being is not a real relationship. One of the most important ways to protect yourself is to carefully curate who you surround yourself with. Did you know we are the average of the top 5 people we spend the most time with? Some food for thought there….
5. Dream big
You have one life to show up for. One chance to go after the things you want. You have one person to answer to – and that’s yourself. Don’t hold yourself away from your dreams, no matter how big they are. You are worth going after your dreams. Again and again. When you put yourself first, that gives Universe a cue to put you first as well.
If you need an encouraging word, or just need to feel like you’re not alone in this, sign up to my email list here to become part of our Feminine Power Life Coaching Community. It’s a one-on-one conversation in your inbox every few weeks about topics that matter to keep you looking ahead and building that life you love so much.
Download your FREE copy of our 30 Day Self-Care Guide for busy women on the go. This guide has simple, powerful, effective self-care activities you can do daily. Get it here.
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