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In honor of Valentine's Day, I want to take a minute and focus on self-love. Self-love is the most important kind of love we will ever have in our lives. Self-love is the regard we have for our well-being and happiness. You deserve to love yourself, get to know yourself, and find the things that make you happy! Self-love is also important because how we love others is reflected in how we love ourselves, and if we don't love ourselves enough, we will constantly seek approval from others but never feel fulfilled. Self-love is a beautiful journey and the key to living a happier life, having strong relationships, improving mental health, setting boundaries, and so much more.
So, this Valentine's Day, be your own valentine and participate in these five ways to improve your self-love starting today!
1. Speak Kindly To Yourself
Whether it's that little voice in our head or the words we speak out loud, what we say about ourselves directly impacts our self-love! It can be easy to say self-deprecating jokes or be our biggest critiques, but it's important to be mindful of what we think and say about ourselves. When we constantly put ourselves down, we start to train our brains to continue to do it and focus only on the things we want to change about ourselves or wish we did differently. The next time you hear yourself putting yourself down or notice that little voice in your head not being so nice, acknowledge it and reflect on your current emotions and what may have triggered that thought. Next, redirect your thoughts by saying an affirmation or following up with one positive thing about yourself.
2. Make Time For Your Needs
We have all been there, putting off our own needs because we have other responsibilities to do or people to take care of. While it's seen as a "selfless act," it really damages your well-being and happiness. In reality, you cannot be your best or be there for others if you are running on empty; helping yourself needs to be a priority in your life! Practice asking yourself each day, "what do I need" and tune into your mind and body for the answer. The next and most important step is to let yourself fulfill that need!
3. Acknowledge Nobody is Perfect
Channel your inner Hannah Montana on this one because nobody's perfect! We are human, we make mistakes, and that is how we learn and experience life. Mistakes and flaws are beautiful things because no matter how difficult they are to go through, they help us to grow and develop as a person. You are not perfect, and that is okay; no one is meant to be. Practice looking at the goals and expectations you hold yourself to. Really take time to reflect and break them down and ask yourself if they are fair or if you are holding yourself to impossible standards.
4. Practice Positive Affirmations
Affirmations are phrases and sentences that we say to ourselves. We can say them out loud, in the mirror to our reflection, or just in our heads. Affirmations are positive phrases that we want to believe about ourselves or want to see happen in our lives, and they really do work to improve self-love! Make up your own affirmation, or look up a list of affirmations to try saying to yourself. They can include things like "I love myself," "I love my mind, I love my body, I love my whole self," "I choose to be kind to myself," and "I am worthy."
5. Make A List Of Positives
Take a few minutes out of your day today and list the positive traits about yourself and the things you like about yourself! This can be physical features, personality traits, how you work with others, or accomplishments you have made; this is your time not to be humble! Let yourself acknowledge all the wonderful things that make you, you! This may be challenging, but working on this list is a great way to spark self-discovery and find joy.