6 simple ways to practise self-love

Self-love is a term that is used a lot in the self-help and personal development world. So you might have read or heard plenty about it. You might know that it is important, and you may even understand why

The relationship you have with yourself can influence many areas of your life, including how you speak to yourself, the boundaries you set and what you look for in your relationships with others. Developing greater self-love isn't about guaranteeing how others will treat you; it's about learning to value and care for yourself.

Yet, the question I hear from a lot of folks is “how?"

It’s an amazing question, so how do you do it?

By acting as if you were completely and utterly in love with yourself. Speak, dress and treat yourself as if you were your most loving fan and best friend.

6 easy ways to show yourself some self-love

1. Speak kindly to yourself

Tell yourself you love yourself, speak kindly about yourself and stop berating and criticising yourself. Accept yourself the way you are and remember that nobody is perfect.

2. Try supportive affirmations

Try a supportive affirmation that feels meaningful to you, such as:

• “I am learning to accept myself as I am.”
• “I am worthy of kindness and respect.”

Choose something that feels supportive to you and return to it when you notice yourself becoming overly critical.

3. Be kind to your body

Think about what caring for your body looks like for you, whether that's getting enough rest, eating regularly, moving in ways you enjoy or simply paying attention to what you need. Treat yourself in a way that reflects someone who really loves, cares about and honours themselves.

4. Do something just for you

Have a bath, put a facemask on, get a manicure, wear your most gorgeous underwear regardless of whether you are single or in a relationship and do anything else that says “I love you, you are worthy and deserve to be treated well”.

5. Take yourself on a regular date

Just you and yourself. Whether that is going to your favourite coffee shop to read for an hour, treating yourself to a massage, going for a walk or taking an art class, take the time to have a regular date with yourself.

6. Take things lightly

Last but not least, take things lightly. Take yourself lightly. Being on a self-development or spiritual journey doesn’t mean we have to be serious. Make sure to have tons of fun, laugh, giggle and do things that make you happy.

Whatever you do, always do it with an intention of loving-kindness and care. Even if it feels unfamiliar at first, practising these behaviours can give you an opportunity to develop a kinder relationship with yourself over time. Practise it until it starts to feel more natural.

If you need help getting into the right frame of mind, especially at the beginning of embracing this new attitude, get used to asking yourself the following two questions on a regular basis:

1.  How would I treat and speak to myself if I were caring for someone I deeply loved?
2. How would someone who loves, accepts and honours themselves treat themselves?

Get into this new attitude right away. Think and speak kindly about yourself and choose two things that you are going to do today that express love and kindness towards yourself. Then, each day, do something new and continue with what you have already tried so it starts becoming a whole new way of being.

Start today by choosing one or two small things that express kindness towards yourself. Self-love doesn't have to be a dramatic transformation; it can begin with the way you speak to yourself and the everyday choices you make about how you want to be treated – including by you.