The saying “You can’t love other people until you love yourself” is popular for good reason — because it’s true! Falling in love with yourself can open many doors in one’s personal development and professional life. But discovering and empowering yourself through self-love is easier said than done. It requires time, dedication, and patience as you learn more about yourself.
When many people think about self-love, they think about trivial tasks like taking a bath every night. In reality, self-love extends far beyond carving some time out of each day to engage in simple pleasures. Activities like slowly sipping your morning coffee as you listen to jazz music, ordering sushi for delivery while you watch your favorite TV show, and going for forest walks can all be inspirational. However, there are other steps that should be taken on the journey towards true happiness and success.
How to practice self-love
Remember that you are in charge of your own happiness
You heard it right, sis! You are the driver of the vehicle, the captain of the ship. You are the only person who can truly make yourself happy, not your family members, coworkers, or a partner. While they can all add value to your purposeful life, you are the one responsible for embracing change and doing what makes you happy.
It’s never a good idea to rely on others for happiness because at the end of the day, the only person you can really rely on is yourself. Choosing happiness means working on yourself, healing your past, working through pain, and prioritizing small daily opportunities for you to spoil yourself.
Accept your flaws
It’s healthy to accept your flaws as everyone has them! If everybody was perfect, the world would be a pretty boring place. Instead of beating yourself up about your shortcomings, try to think of ways you could improve and grow. For example, if you struggle with taking things personally, adjust your expectations and focus on boosting your self-confidence. Speaking with mentors who have overcome similar flaws can help push you in the right direction.
Social media tends to paint everyone in a perfect light, so it’s important to remember that everyone has their own flaws and short-comings. Embrace the quirkiness, uniqueness, and individuality that makes you, YOU!
Forgive yourself
We all make mistakes, and these mistakes are vital to our personal growth. Instead of dwelling on bad decisions or accidents you’ve made, forgive yourself and be sure to learn. Reflect back on the mistake, take responsibility, let go of the grudge, and think about the lesson learned.
Act in a self-loving way
Schedule a little bit of time every day (or week, if you’re really busy) to nurture your own needs. If you’ve had a hectic past few days, treat yourself to a nap. Or if you’re an entrepreneur and have been working super hard on a project, call up a friend and meet for a coffee. Listening to your mind and your body is key to finding self-love. Through this personal growth and healing journey, you’ll build a healthy relationship with yourself and others.
Don’t worry about the opinions of others
Everyone will always have an opinion, and it’s up to you to filter through them. Instead of worrying what other people are thinking of you, accept that everyone has an opinion but at the end of the day, the only opinion that matters is the one that you have. When someone says something about you or points out a flaw to you, consider the source and do your best not to take it personally. However, if the opinion is coming from someone you value, take a moment to reflect as it could be beneficial towards your growth.
Give yourself a compliment
Ya’ll can be so hard on yourselves! Take a moment and reflect upon what you like about yourself. Whether you’ve had a particularly good hair day, helped a stranger on the way to work, or excelled at a work task, let yourself know that you’re proud. Paying yourself a compliment can boost your mood, improve your confidence, and give yourself a reason to smile. While it’s important to compliment others, it’s just as important to compliment yourself.
If you’re eager to learn more about self-love, empowerment, and entrepreneurship, join the sisterhood at our motivational Becoming Truly You: The Ascension two-day conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Tickets for the Early Bird Special Pass can be purchased here and payment plans are available. We are also currently looking for vendors for the event. Please reach out to us if you’d like to participate!
