5 Powerful Self-Love Practices to Transform Your Life
Self-love might seem like a buzzword, but it’s a profound practice that changes everything. How can simple daily practices actually reshape your relationship with yourself? Let's dive into five transformative self-love practices that uplift your spirit and nourish your soul.
5 Power Practices for Self-Love
Journaling
Isn't it amazing how a pen and paper can unlock your inner thoughts? And sometimes inner feelings!
Start by writing down what you're grateful for each morning or venting your frustrations. It’s not just about keeping a diary; it’s about discovering your true self and soothing your mind. In this digital age, there are many apps that you can use to help you type out your morning “brain dump” without having to carry a journal and pen around with you!
Journaling daily has been shown to improve mind clarity and emotional regulation, which aligns with our purpose of self-love!
As you pen (or type;)) your thoughts and feelings, you’re giving yourself a third-person view to observe and be aware of how you think and feel about situations in life.
This helps you to see in records what triggers certain emotions and if there is a pattern as to when these emotions arise.Meditation
Whichever way you’ve done meditation, you’ve felt its benefits in your life. Meditation can centre your thoughts and calm your mind. Whether it’s five minutes or fifty, it’s your sanctuary of tranquillity in the hustle of everyday life.
Starting the day with meditation helps me clear away unwanted thoughts, organise my feelings, and start my day refreshed rather than bogged down.Positive Affirmations
Speaking of transformations, how about changing how you talk to yourself? Switch the narrative from criticism to affirmation—or, as I like to say, “from critical to nurturing parent voice.”
I love Louis Hay's simple affirmations: "I love and approve myself. All is well in my world." Saying this three times in the morning while holding your hand to your chest helps you feel into the words and affirm that you’ve loved, you’re enough, and everything is well!
Physical Self-Care
Taking care of your body is taking care of your soul. Whether it's yoga, a quick jog, or even dancing to your favourite song in your living room, find joy in movement. It’s about celebrating and thanking your body, not punishing it. As you wrap up your exercise session, put your hand to your chest and thank your body for all that it has done during this session. Acknowledge all the great moves and fails it all part of being you, this helps you to build your confidence in knowing how great your body is!
Setting Boundaries
This might be the toughest yet the most rewarding. Learning to say no or protecting your energy isn't selfish; it's necessary. Boundaries help you honour your needs and teach others how to love you properly.
If we take “time is money” literally, whenever you say “yes” to something or someone, you are actually giving your money away to that thing or person. Imagine doing that multiple times a day?! That would be equivalent to a full-time job’s salary, right?
So unless the “yes'“ is a “HELL YES!” say “No.” And to support you with that “No.” is a complete sentence, there is not need to follow it with reasons or justifications.
Incorporating is the key.
Do you know what these 5 practices have in common? It’s all about filling your cup first before others. It sounds counterintuitive at first when you’ve been habitually filling other’s cups before yours for a long time. (I’ve experienced that) Crazy as it sounds, I have more to give after filling my cup first at the start of the day!
Incorporating these self-love practices isn’t about doing them perfectly or all at once. Pick one, and start there. Self-love is a journey, a series of choices leading to a more fulfilled existence.
Which of these practices have you tried?
Which of these practices resonates with you today? Try it out and share your experience in the comments below, or drop me a message if you’d like to discuss how to weave these practices into your life more seamlessly.
