Daily Self-Love Practices: Learning To Love Yourself

By: Samantha & Nicole C.

---

Welcome back to the 2019 Selfie Love Challenge Hosted by My Bipolar Mind and Kelly over at Budding Joy! Today is Thursday, February 28th, 2019; the last day of the #SelfieLove2019 Challenge! We hope that everyone who has participated in this challenge was able to find some self-love while also learning some amazing self-care tips. Sadly, all great things must come to an end.

---

As many of us know, learning to love yourself and take care of yourself can be quite challenging for so many people in this world. But it is also a very valuable thing to learn. Loving yourself is important for the mind, body, and soul. It is not something that you can achieve overnight. It takes time, patience, and persistence. There are little things that you can try to do on a daily basis to help the love you feel for yourself blossom into something you may have never imagined possible.

When it comes to self-care – From the day we are born we learn that eating and sleeping are needed but as we grow, it becomes so much more. How much more you might ask? Well, we will address that in just a moment. Self-care is a good base to self-love if you do not take care of the body then the mind and soul will suffer. That is why we want to also talk about self-care even though the main topic at hand is self-love.

Daily Self-Love Practices

Tip #1 – Daily Affirmations

Practice saying affirmations to yourself in the mirror every morning. It is a great way to start off the day when you hear something wonderful about yourself – especially when you are the one saying the nice stuff! You can tell yourself that you are beautiful, worthy, loved, etc… If you are running short on affirmations, you can always Google affirmations to give yourself some ideas. Even if you feel silly or do not believe what you are telling yourself, that is okay. It’s something that takes time and persistence before you will begin to believe your own words. Keep at it though, and don’t give up!

Tip #2 – The Writing Is On The Mirror

If you are a woman, take some of your lipstick and write, “You Are Beautiful!” on your bathroom mirror or any mirror that is big enough to fit those words on it. Every time you look at the mirror tell yourself that you are beautiful. Keep reminding yourself of your inner and outer beauty on a regular basis.

If you are a male, get some window chalk and write something that will make you feel good on your bathroom mirror. Something like, “You are handsome,” “You are a loving,” or “You are loved.”

Everyone may have their own little word or phrase; just choose what works best for you! Whatever you think will make you smile to yourself on the inside and outside. You can also try something like, “I love and accept myself for who I am.”

Tip # 3 – Enhancing Your Favorite Feature

This next tip can sometimes be easier for some and more challenging for others. Try to find one thing that you like about your external beauty and try to do something that enhances your favorite or best feature. For example; I love my eye color. So, so every now and again I will put on some eyeliner, mascara, and some eyeshadow that helps to enhance my hazel eyes. If you love your hair, try a new hairstyle. If you love your smile, put on your favorite lipstick or lip gloss. If you love your legs, wear something that shows them off tastefully.

Tip  #4 – Don’t Believe Everything Your Mind Tells You

Do not believe what your head is thinking all the time. It is easy to get negative thoughts stuck in our heads. The things people say or the way people make us feel can linger long after the words or actions have been said or done. Realizing this is happing, you can counteract those bad thoughts and point out things you like and know you are good at. If needed, make a self-love list!

Tip #5 – Toxicity

Watch out for toxic people. Look at how others treat you. If you have someone who abuses you mentally and physically; Notice the behavior. Change it if you can by pointing out the actions the other person is doing that is hurtful to you, but also realize that if the person does not want to change then it will not end and it is highly recommended that you get out of that situation. No one deserves to be treated poorly. Being with or around toxic people can really hinder how you feel about yourself.

Tip #6 – Alone Time

Taking time for yourself is needed. But it can also be addictive. It is easy to isolate yourself. Watch falling into the “too much alone time trap.” Try to find a balance between work, family, friends, and time for just you. Even if it means just 30 mins a day doing something you love like a hobby, going for a walk, reading a book, or quiet meditation. If you need some more ideas for things to do to have some quality “me time” check out this article: 25 Activities You Can Try For Some Genuine “Me Time.”

Tip #7- Do Not Compare Yourself To Others

Take pride in your individuality. Remind yourself it is okay if you are not perfect, no one is and that is okay. Rate yourself on the things you are good at; make a list if need. Just do not let your mind tell you that you are not like everyone else. You are who you are, and that is okay. You do not need that fancy car or that big home or even that significant other and family to be fulfilled in life. Set your own goals that you are capable of and make them the best you can. You are not obligated to please everyone around you like there is some life report card. You are only obligated to making your life the best you can make it

Tip #8 – Take Pride In Your Accomplishments

Big or small anything you have done, take pride in it; Just like we love to beat ourselves up when we do bad. That behavior needs to change, we should praise ourselves instead on the things we do good. Set goals, and when you complete it – celebrate. Start off with small goals then build up to bigger ones. Do not set anything you are not capable of achieving. Realize your limitations and strengths. Do not look at anything you did not achieve as a weakness but rather a skill you need to build on or a limitation you may not be capable of and that is okay. The main thing is, do not beat yourself up about what you didn’t do but celebrate what you can do and take pride in it.

Tip #9 – Surround Yourself With Positivity

The easiest way to being sucked into negativity is by surrounding yourself with negativity. It takes time to break free from the negative. But when you surround yourself with positivity, you could be amazed at how your thinking may also become more positive as well. When we are happy, it shows. When you are miserable, that shows as well. Part of surrounding yourself with positivity includes engaging with people who have a good, positive energy that surrounds them.

Tip #10 – Realize That Beauty Cannot Be Defined

Everyone in this world has their own definition of what is beautiful and what isn’t. What this means is that everyone all over the world has their own definition of what they think beautiful is and means. If someone were to call you names or talk down about how you look, that is their opinion. There may be someone else who disagrees with them entirely. That is the thing about opinions, everyone is entitled to their own – including you. Always remember that you are beautiful in your own way. We all are.

Daily Self-Care Practices

Tip #1 – Beauty Sleep

Get your beauty sleep! Create a sleep schedule and try sticking to it. Try to get 8 hours of sleep a night. If need to take a nap, try for just 30 mins; it’s just enough to get rested.

Tip #2 – Stay Hydrated

Drink enough water! The recommended minimum amount is 2 liters a day which can be split up into eight 8-ounce glasses; just think of the 8×8 rule.

Tip #3 – Watch What You Eat

Watch what you eat. Watch the junk food and increase good foods like fruits and vegetables. Keep meal sizes reasonable, and try to stick to 3 full well-balanced meals and 2 small snacks a day.

Tip #4 – Personal Hygiene Checklist

Do a personal hygiene checklist each day; bathe/shower, washer your hair, shave if needed, brush teeth, get clean and do your nails and put on clean clothing.

Tip #5 – Remember Those Meds!

If you are on medication or take vitamins, make sure you take them.

Tip #6 – Declutter

Clean house and de-clutter the space around you. Having a clean space around helps with what is going on in your head. The less dirt and clutter around you, the less dirty thoughts and cluttered thoughts in your head. I know when my personal area is messy, it really affects my mood in a negative way.

Tip #7 – Get Moving!

Exercise! Move around, do tai chi, Tai boo, ride a bike, go for a walk, turn on the radio and dance around! Whatever it is, do something; just do not sit and be idle. Try to be active as much as you can.

Tip #8 – Interact With Real People

Take a break from texting on your phone and computer and try to get some face-to-face time or do an old fashioned phone call with another human being.

Tip #9 – Have Some Fun

Do something fun! All work and no play makes for a very dull day!

Tip #10 – Ask For Help

Finally, if all else fails, ask for help. Do not let yourself get to down and reach out for help when needed.

The Challenge Is Over…

The 2019 Selfie Love Challenge is complete, but that doesn’t mean that learning self-care and self-love practices have to come to an end. Kelly over at Budding Joy and I hope that you found this challenge insightful and useful. Always remember your importance and worth.

---

Check out all the #SelfieLove2019 Challenge Posts from My Bipolar Mind & Budding Joy Below!

• https://budding-joy.com/selfielove2019intro/
• https://mybipolarmind.com/2019/02/14/2019-selfie-love-challenge/
• https://budding-joy.com/theabcsofself-care/
• https://mybipolarmind.com/2019/02/17/why-self-love-is-important-for-mental-health/
• https://budding-joy.com/12-cheap-and-quick-self-care-activities/
• https://budding-joy.com/my-self-care-journey-lessons-ive-learned/

---