Cultivating a Practice of Self-Love
Cultivating a practice of self-love allows you to develop a deeper sense of self-awareness, acceptance, and self-compassion, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life. When you practice self-love, you are able to accept yourself as you are, flaws and all.
Having a strong sense of self-love also allows you to bounce back from setbacks and challenges more easily. You are better equipped to handle adversity and can maintain a positive outlook even in difficult times.
Self-love encourages you to prioritize your own well-being and practice self-care, so that you can take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally.
But, how might we deepen self-love to nurture ourselves? Here are some ideas:
1. Practice self-care: Make time for activities that make you feel good and relaxed, such as going for a walk, meditating, engaging in a hobby you love…
2. Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend who is struggling.
3. Set boundaries: Learn to say no to things that drain your energy or make you feel bad about yourself. If this is something you’re still learning to do, I highly suggest reading Vanessa Patrick’s book, “The Power of Saying No”.
4. Practice gratitude: Reflect on the things in your life that you are grateful for and focus on the positive aspects of yourself.
5. Seek therapy or counselling: If you struggle with deepening self-love, consider talking to a therapist or counsellor who can help you explore and work through underlying issues.
6. Surround yourself with supportive people: Surround yourself with friends and loved ones who support and uplift you, and minimize time spent with people who bring you down.
7. Practice mindfulness: Be present in the moment and pay attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgement. This can help you better understand and accept yourself.
8. Engage in activities that bring you joy: Take up hobbies or activities that bring you fulfillment and joy, and make time for them regularly.
9. Practice self-acceptance: Accept yourself exactly as you are, flaws and all, and treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Kris’s Carr says, “Acceptance doesn’t mean that we stop growing, it means that we seek from a place of wholeness (knowing that we’re already enough), rather than a place of lack”.
10. Keep a journal: Write down your thoughts and feelings, and reflect on them regularly to gain better insight into yourself and your emotions. The way we think and feel about ourselves both hold a lot of power. It can help us love ourselves or hate ourselves. It can destroy confidence, or build it up….and remember: your thoughts are not facts.
Dr. Kristin Neff is a pioneer of self-compassion. Check out her website for more information and for resources on self-compassion: https://self-compassion.org/
~Kate
