The word self-love seems to be in everyone’s goals and resolutions; at the beginning of 2019, the most common New Year’s Resolution I heard was “This year, I’m going to love myself and practice self-care.” I always wondered, though, what does that really mean? Over the past year, I’ve concluded that self-love is a journey. It’s not a step by step process, but rather a long and winding path to being happy with who you are. I’m going to share five ways I recommend going about your self-love journey!
1. Take Care of Yourself
This may be an obvious one, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t listen to their body and take care of themselves daily. When you listen to your body and mind and give your body what it needs, you will feel good about yourself, which is the most important part of self-love! Self-love is all about feeling good in your own shoes, so taking care of yourself is an important part.
2. Journal
While some people see journaling as a chore, I think it’s a crucial part in the self-love journey. In its simplest form, journaling is a brain dump. It’s a way to get all your thoughts on paper and out of your head, so you can have a clear mind and focus on what’s important. In addition, you can also grow and learn about yourself through journaling. I make it a point to journal every day, even if it’s only for five minutes; I find that it clears my head and I’m left with a sense of happiness about who I am and my path in life. Self-love is truly about growth; everyone has a little seed of self-love inside, but it’s up to the person to blossom this seed into a self-love flower.
3. Get Outside
There’s nothing like a little fresh air to help cheer you up. Getting outside, even if it’s just a short walk, can help clear your head. I love taking a walk around my university, listening to music, and taking in all the nature around me. It helps clear my head, reflect, and get ready for what’s coming next. Just taking a simple walk can also help you appreciate the little things in life and feel happier in general. Happiness is one of the keys to self-love, and there’s nothing like getting some fresh air to start your self-love journey!
4. Relax!
College can get so busy sometimes and it’s easy to get wrapped up in work, but I would suggest relaxing after a long day of classes. You can do anything; do a face mask, paint your nails, listen to music, or read. Relaxing can help clear your mind and improve your focus. By relaxing, you are listening to your body and mind and taking care of yourself. Self-care is an important aspect of the self-love journey. Life can get crazy sometimes, and it’s important to slow down and take a breather.
5. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!
This one may sound counterintuitive; often, when people hear “get out of your comfort zone”, they immediately jump to fear and anxiety. I know that I tend to do this sometimes as well but getting out of your comfort zone can be very beneficial. While doing the activity, it might seem scary, but afterwards, you realize how much you’ve learned and grown. Growth is a very important part of the self-love journey, so get out there and try something new!
These are my five ways to practice self-care! There are plenty more out there, and the self-love journey is different for everyone, but these ideas have helped me grow and move further in my self-love journey. Happy self-love journeying!