Self-love is all the craze nowadays — and that’s the way it should have always been. The power of taking care of our own selves and being kind to our self-discovery is pivotal to our personal growth. But sometimes it is easier said than done.
Self-care and self-love can manifest in many ways. It can be present from your nutritional intake to the boundaries you create. However, being self-aware and understanding what you need for the sake of your mental peace isn’t always a one-and-done.
Something that has worked for me, though, is writing myself a love note. This reminds me of how far I’ve come and why I need to continue the track of loving myself.
Now, whenever I tell other people about this, they laugh or ask me how one even gets started in writing themselves a love letter. So, I have some tips on how to do it.
- Write it where you feel most comfortable
I know people who prefer to write on paper with a pen or pencil. At the same time, I know others who prefer to write their notes on their phone’s app. All ways are acceptable. My only suggestion is that you make this love note accessible just in case you want to re-read it on your difficult days.
- Write it in the second person
Writing in the second person (you/yours) allows the writer to steer in any direction without having to sway away from the doubts. So, for instance, don’t write: “I want to tell you how proud I am of myself.” Instead, write: “You make me proud.”
- Be honest
Though it is important to fill your love note with positivity, make sure you’re also being honest. For example, you can be happy you managed to overcome a feat, but only if this truly occurred. Otherwise, if you feel like you’re falling short in content, write love affirmations to yourself.
- What are love affirmations?
Love affirmations are short statements that describe things that bring joy (in this case, to you). Some people number them, and I think that’s a great technique. You can say you admire your own determination; you love how you know how to hold conversations, and so on.
- Be kind
There are going to be moments where writing a love note to yourself will seem silly, but, see, these notes will help you visualize how much worth you have. And, just in case you aren’t sure what you’re worth, it’s a lot. Don’t second-guess the kind words your heart needs. Go all out if you feel the need and remember that the more you tell yourself how great you are, the more this greatness will manifest in your everyday life.
Here’s an example of a short love note:
Dear (write your name),
You are so amazing. I can’t begin to thank you enough for standing up for yourself to your partner the other day. You deserve to be treated with respect, and you are worth so much. I can tell that you are cooking healthier lately, which showcases the many amazing talents you have under your belt. I know there’s so much more you want to accomplish, but you are getting closer as each day passes by.
With Love,
(your name)