Real Moms: Practicing Self-Love

February is here, and everybody is thinking about Valentine’s, roses, and love. However, love is a word with a powerful meaning. While there are many people in our lives that we can love fully, easily, and naturally, we often struggle to love ourselves in the same way.

The importance of self-love lies in taking time for yourself and accepting yourself as you are physically and emotionally, nurturing through small acts your body, mind, and soul. Loving yourself and holding yourself in high esteem is the beginning of leading a calmer and healthier lifestyle, avoiding subjecting yourself to things that do not bring you any kind of benefit.

Practicing self-love can be a real challenge for many people, and it is something that everyone must adjust to their own needs. The basics are very simple: love yourself inside and out. This does not only mean eating healthy and pampering yourself from time to time, but also loving and accepting yourself despite all the emotions you have, good or bad.

Start with your body

The most immediate changes are noticeable on the outside, and creating simple habits that you can add to your daily routine will be vital to get started on your self-love journey. Think about your needs and implement healthier habits that fit them: 

• Get enough rest and at a decent hour.
• Do your groceries ahead of time and plan more nutritious meals for the whole week.
• Physical activity is important. Take time out of your day, even if it's just to go for a walk.
• Dedicate some time to pamper yourself with a spa session once a month, or do it at home with your favorite scented candles and have some absolute relaxation time.
• Treat yourself to a day of getting your hair and nails done
• Create self-love routines that work for you with these little tips, and take pride in the healthy changes you are making.

Now work with your mind

This is the tricky part and the most important one. Sometimes the easiest thing to do is get carried away with negative thoughts that can convince a person that they are not enough or they don't deserve good things. However, practicing affirmations when this happens can be a beneficial method to silence these thoughts:

• As you wake up each day, repeat to yourself 'I am enough,’ 'I deserve to respect and care for myself,’ 'I am strong,’ 'I am capable.’ You can see more affirmations to help you build your self-esteem in this list.
• Meditate when you feel overwhelmed, and if you have trouble concentrating, you can use guided meditation.
• Keep a journal where you can write down the positive things that happen to you during the day or week, and you will see how sometimes we focus on the bad and overlook the good.

The most essential thing in your journey to self-love is to be consistent and honor yourself, your strength, and all the accomplishments you achieve on a daily basis and not to downplay yourself.