Cultivating Self-Love in oneself has remained a difficult task due to the definition of “Perfect Person” in modern society. Read this article to know how you can increase the deep sense of self-love in yourself through some basic tips and tricks.
The relationship you have with yourself is the most beautiful love story of your life. But for various reasons, we tend to be hard on ourselves. Learning to love yourself from the inside out is an incredible journey. Use these tips to help yourself in cultivating self-love.
1. Keep a gratitude journal
Making a practice of writing down the things you are grateful for each day is a great way to reinforce positive thinking. In any given day there is a multitude of things to be grateful for. There are the small things like a smile from a stranger, or finding a great parking spot. And there are the big things like a roof over your head, and the people you love. Writing these things down can help you to be more observant of the things we take for granted each day. Not to mention on days when you’re feeling less than great, reading back through all of the things you have to be grateful for can potentially lift your mood. Writing down your thoughts gives them life, and can help you to visualize and manifest the life you want for yourself.
2. Eating Clean
We’ve all heard the expression ‘you are what you eat.’ Being mindful of the things that you put in your body is so important for living a long and healthy life. Not all diets work for everyone, but it’s a good rule of thumb to make choices that embrace kindness and compassion for both yourself and the planet.
3. Natural beauty products
Indulge your senses with soaps and lotions that are free of toxic chemicals. Use products that smell great, and feel great on the skin, taking the time to spoil yourself each day is a great way to build self-love.
4. Affirmations
Many people believe that repeating mantras or affirmations to yourself helps you to manifest the things you want from life. Think of the areas where you struggle the most and where you feel the most insecure. Be your own cheerleader and affirm to yourself that you are capable, worthy and whatever you need yourself to be. Write these affirmations repeatedly. Put them on sticky notes in places you know you’ll glance, practice them so much that these positive thoughts eventually become second nature.
5. Fitness
Find a form of exercise that you love and develop a routine. Commit to taking care of your body. Know that it is not going to be easy, but the effort will be worth the reward. Our bodies are our temples and we only have one. A physical practice like yoga is a great way to get connected to your body, to fall in love with your body, and take care of your health.
6. Give Back
Be kind. Find ways to give back to your community. There will always be those less fortunate than you, and sometimes we need a little reminder that we’re all in this together.
7. Travel
Nothing can help you become a more compassionate and understanding person quite like traveling can. Stepping outside of your bubble and experiencing the world around you can really help to put your life in perspective. Go anywhere and everywhere, don’t worry about money or waiting until the perfect time- just take a chance and step out of your comfort zone.
8. Apologize and forgive
Anger and stress are horrible toxins to carry around. They weigh us down and take their toll mentally and physically. Forgiveness is always the easier choice. Let go of pain, disappointment, and anger towards yourself and others and you’ll feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of your shoulders.
9. Meditation
The practice of quieting the mind, taking the time out to connect with a higher state of consciousness, and to feel a release from the tight grip that our thoughts hold on us. With practice, meditation can become a transcendental and euphoric experience, helping us to live in the present, and to better understand ourselves.
10. Step out of your comfort zone
Don’t get stuck in a routine just because it’s comfortable. Challenge yourself, find a way every day to do something that you’re proud of. Embrace change and welcome it with open arms.