A Loving Step-By-Step Guide To Self-Love For Beginners

The most important relationship you’ll ever have is the relationship you have with yourself. Cheesy? Sure. But true? Absolutely. We’ve put together a complete guide to self-love for beginners to help you get started on your self-love journey today. 

Firstly, What Is Self-Love?

Can self-love be achieved by reading a self-help book? By finding a new love interest? By listening to motivational podcasts or Beyoncé songs? While these activities make us feel good, self-love is something that takes time. And as cliché as it sounds, it often comes from within.

Self-love is the regard for your wellbeing and happiness. It is tending to your needs, be it emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. It is accepting yourself, flaws, shortcomings and forgiving yourself for your mistakes. Self-love is knowing your worth, setting boundaries, and living intentionally. With that said, self-love is dynamic, and it will carry a different meaning for each of us.

A Guide To Self-Love: What Are The Benefits Of Self-Love?

Self-Love Helps You Become More Mindful

A wonderful benefit of practicing self-love is becoming more mindful. Mindful of how you speak to yourself, mindful of how you spend your time, and mindful of your thoughts and feelings. If you notice that something is stressing you out, you will take the time to tend to your needs. 

Being mindful of our emotions helps us prioritize our well-being and make sure that our needs are met. Plus, it reduces stress, anxiety and improves sleep.

Self-Love Spreads Positivity

Practicing self-love is essential for living your best, healthiest life. And not only will it positively impact your world, but it can have a ripple effect on those in your circle. Think about it. If you’re beaming positive energy, it will be hard for those around you not to pick up on it and share your infectious smile. 

When you practice self-love, you show kindness and gratitude towards yourself, which helps you notice the good in others. And who doesn’t want to be around someone who radiates positivity?

You Will Experience An Increased Belief In Yourself

Say hello to increased drive and motivation to achieve your goals! With self-love comes the true belief in yourself. You believe you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. This newfound belief can open up doors for new opportunities and even a completely new life! Have you always wanted to run a marathon? Open a bakery?

Self-love gives you the confidence to do exactly that. It gives you the unwavering belief in yourself to achieve your goals. After all, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t at least try!

You Will Stop Judging Yourself

This isn’t easy for anyone. But with self-love comes self-acceptance. That means accepting your mistakes, flaws, and all the messy parts of yourself. 

It may take time, but you’ll recognize that all your experiences, including your mistakes, make you who you are. You will experience gratitude for overcoming obstacles and realize that you wouldn’t change a thing about yourself or your past. 

A Guide To Self-Love: How Can You Cultivate Self-Love?

Silence Your Inner Critic

You know that little voice in the back of your mind that loves to point out all your flaws and dwell on your mistakes? That voice is your inner critic, and it loves to hold you back from living your best life.

The next time you notice negative, discouraging thoughts pop up, acknowledge them. Try to replace those thoughts with something positive. Each time you notice your inner critic doing its thing, make a habit to challenge it with uplifting, feel-good thoughts.

Connect with Your feelings

An integral part of adopting a practice of self-love is connecting with and acknowledging your feelings. Whether they’re good or bad, it’s important to engage with your emotions, so you can address them and move forward in a healthy way. Write out your feelings in a reflection journal and allow yourself the space to analyze your moods and emotions.

If you find yourself in a negative thinking pattern, take a moment to pause and ask yourself why you feel this way. Can you find a positive outlook on the situation? Or do you need a moment to sit with these feelings?

Remember to be kind to yourself and not judge these feelings. Instead, congratulate yourself that you were able to recognize and connect with your emotions. It’s not always easy to do!

Forgive Yourself

One of the most powerful and important parts of self-love is the ability to forgive yourself for your flaws and your past mistakes. Maybe you’re holding on to a fault you made in the past. Or feel anger towards yourself for saying something you deeply regret.

Instead of harboring resentment and anger towards yourself, extend the same level of forgiveness and compassion you readily give to others. It will take time, but letting yourself make mistakes and be human is the ultimate act of self-love.

Self-Love Through Self-Care

No guide to self-love would be complete without self-care! By practicing self-care and tending to your needs, all areas of your life can reap the benefits. Self-care helps us take a step back to check in and connect with ourselves.

Try out a self-care night once a week where you set your phone to “do not disturb,” run a hot bubble bath and RELAX. Perhaps you might choose to roll out your mat and flow through yoga poses while you take deep belly breaths. Or, use your self-care night to do what you love – be it baking cookies, watching 90s romcoms, or crocheting. Try it out!

A Guide To Self-Love: Remember That Self-Love Takes Time

Self-love gives you the courage to step into your dream life and be your best, fabulous self! But remember, self-love isn’t an overnight thing. It may take a little while before you start noticing the benefits of your practice. But trust us, it is completely worth the ride.

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