With the hectic lives we lead, it can be easy to get caught up in our everyday chores and responsibilities. But it’s more important than ever to devote time to yourself. Practicing self-love involves listening to your intuition and being attuned to your body when it tells you what it needs. This may seem simple enough, but it can be tricky to put this into practice. Here are a few ways to you can love yourself more.
1. Take Care of Yourself as Well As You Care for Others
You may tend to put your needs last because you feel like you’re being selfish by devoting time to yourself. But this can do more harm than good. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself. Only then will you be able to help the people you care about wholeheartedly. Treat yourself the way you’d treat someone you love—with respect and kindness.
2. Stop Holding on To Past Mistakes
It’s easy to feel weighed down by past mistakes and lapses. But these memories can prevent you from making the most of your life and being your true self. We’ve all made mistakes and being flawed is part of the human experience. Remember that these incidences—good and bad— have made you the unique person you are today. So, instead of berating yourself for past transgressions, move on and start living in the moment.
3. Devote Time to The Things You Love
First, figure out what you really love doing. Do you feel most like yourself when you’re painting, or do you feel exhilarated when you travel to a new city? Become aware of how you feel when you do these things. No matter how busy your schedule is, find the time for the activities you enjoy as often as you can. Do what you need to do to be you and don’t worry about being seen as silly or selfish. The feeling of fulfillment that you experience is all the permission you need to do what you love.
4. Appreciate Your Life
It’s human nature to focus primarily on the aspects of our lives we want to change. Instead of focusing on the negatives, think about the things you’re grateful for. Think about your best friend who you can call at any hour, the great feedback you got from your boss, or even your delicious morning latte.
Appreciating your blessings, no matter how small they may be, can drastically alter your perspective and help you love yourself more.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
How to Get Motivated No Matter What Challenges You Face