Self Love Journey

Love can come in many different forms, but the most important love is with yourself.

But you don’t just wake up one day and completely change the way that you feel about yourself.

So where exactly should you start on your self love journey?

Consider this your self-love for beginners road map.

 

 

When it comes to your self love journey, there is no finite destination.

It’s a continual process, an ongoing relationship with yourself.
 

Know Yourself

 
It can be so easy to avoid really knowing yourself when there are distractions everywhere.

Too often we run away and escape by becoming absorbed in TV or social media.

You can almost avoid yourself, but don’t.

Get to know you! Make your relationship with yourself a good and healthy one.
 

 

Understand Yourself

A big part of the self love journey is exploring your feelings, understanding both your strengths and your weaknesses.

Learn what fills you up and what drains you.

You can do this through practicing stillness, meditating, journaling, reflecting and /or introspection.

 
 

Forgive Yourself

 

Acknowledge your mistakes then flip them to a learning experience.

No amount of regret or shame is going to change the past all you can do is move forward.

Stop feeling ashamed about your past – you’re not that person anymore.

Give yourself grace.

 
 

Date Yourself

 
Whether you are in a relationship or not, it’s important to spend time alone.

Do the things that you want to do solely because you want to do them.

You don’t need anyone else to do those things with you.

 
Get sexy and glammed up just for yourself or spend the entire day in cozy pajamas.

Go to that coffee shop or restaurant you’ve been wanting to without needing to have company.

Visit the park on a beautiful day, take a long bath with rose petals in it, pleasure yourself, cook (or buy) yourself an amazing dinner, buy yourself flowers. Choose yourself.
 
 

Kick-out the Critic

 
Listen to your thoughts and recognize the negative self talk.

Once you start listening for the critic in your head you’ll be surprised at how much it actually says.

If you have a constant negative monologue repeating in your head how can you work towards happiness or success?
 

 
Of course you’ll never completely stop all of the negative thoughts that pop into your head.

But you can recognize them and turn them around.

I read a quote once that is so true: “It’s not what we say out loud that really determines our lives. It’s what we whisper to ourselves that has the most power.”

Remember, you are always listening.

 
 

Practice Gratitude

Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

It has been scientifically proven that gratitude practiced on a regular basis can change the way your brain works.

You can work to actively shift your mindset from one of lack, to one of abundance.

Focus on what you do have instead of what you don’t.
 

 
Some easy things to be grateful for:

Your family.
Your friends.
Your pets.
Your home.
Your health.
Your job.
Electricity.
Clean water.
Internet Access.
 
 

Set Boundaries

When you set boundaries you are taking care of yourself by drawing an invisible line not to be crossed.

You are protecting your peace.

Setting and communicating strong boundaries isn’t selfish, it’s respecting yourself.
 

 
Boundaries can help manage stress, well-being and promote healthy relationships.

Your boundaries don’t have to be entirely rigid but you should feel ok saying no to things that you don’t want to do, or requests that are unreasonable.

Those who care about you will at least attempt to honor your boundaries.

You are deserving of respect, privacy, space and peace.

If someone is upset about boundaries you put in place, that says a lot more about them than it does you.
 
 

Move Your Body

Your body is where you live, it’s your home.

Physical activity is important for both our physical and mental health.

I think we all know that exercising produces feel good hormones like endorphins.

Working out can be intimidating if you don’t do it on a regular basis and you might be tempted to push too hard.

Instead start to slowly incorporate more movement into your day in the beginning.

One of the most underrated activities for moving your body is simply going for a walk.

 
 

Reduce Expectations

Not feeling up to doing much? That’s ok!

You aren’t a robot so you can’t be at 100% all of the time.

Try a simple wellness check.

When is the last time you..
 
took a deep breath?
drank some water?
ate a healthy meal?
got 8 hours of sleep?
went outside?
got in a workout?
took your meds?
 

 
Unplug and take a break from social media, create art, ask for help from someone you trust or talk to a professional.

Allow yourself to rest, relax and recover .

 

Stay Unconditional

 
You can’t just love yourself when things are going well.

Of course, it’s much more difficult when you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or depressed – but that’s when you need your love the most.

The self love journey isn’t always an easy one.

But don’t use your self love or self care as some kind of a reward.

You are always deserving.

Take care of yourself physically and mentally, especially when it’s hard.
 

 

Feel what you need to feel, find a healthy way to express yourself.

Find a way to give yourself the unconditional love you need and deserve.

 
 

 

In Conclusion

Remember that it’s a self love journey not a destination.

Sometimes self love isn’t easy.

But, doing difficult things makes you stronger.

Almost all of the most important things in life are hard.

You have to do the inner work.

All of the physical self care in the world won’t matter if you don’t do the mental work.

Start your self love journey today.
 
 

 

 
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