How to love yourself more
This Valentine’s day there is definitely someone you need to show more love. You! Here is how to love yourself more this Valentine’s day. The busy nature of being a parent, often means we fall out of love with ourselves. This may be because we lose confidence, do not have the time to take care of ourselves, or many other reasons.
Why is it important to love yourself?
Before sharing tips for how to love yourself more, let’s cover why it is important. Essentially self-love encourages our positive behaviours and can help reduce the negative ones. You may neglect yourself if you do not feel you are worthy of being a priority. Self-love reinforces your worthiness in your own mind.
Improve your wellbeing
Self-love can improve your well-being. It encourages us to take care of ourselves physically and mentally. Improving your well-being can help improve self-esteem. It can help with your mindset and help you approach challenges that motherhood presents. Loving yourself means you are less likely to be stressed or anxious, and feel more confident in your decisions and choices.
Improving relationships
Creating a healthier relationship with yourself lays the foundations for you having healthier, more positive relationships with others. Loving yourself helps create a more positive environment for your whole family. Self love means that you are less reliant on others for approval, this can have a positive impact on wider relationships.
Increase resilience
We all know too well that motherhood has its ups and downs. It can require resilience to deal with the challenges you may experience. Increasing your resilience will provide you with the strength you need to get through these situations with confidence.
Being a role model
Remember how often your children will be told they look like you, or have your features. If they see or hear you tearing yourself down, it may make them feel insecure about themselves. If your children see you having a relationship where you show self love, they are more likely to replicate this behaviour as they grow.
Tips for how to love yourself more
So now we know why self love is important, and a good thing to do for yourself, let’s find out how to do it. These tips are designed to be easy ways to improve your relationship with yourself.
Limit social media
Social media can be toxic. It can be beneficial to limit your time on there if you are finding self love difficult. It can be easy to compare yourself to others and how they look, their homes, relationships and families. Often a lot of this is not true and so you are comparing yourself to unrealistic expectations.
Having said that, when social media is used correctly it can be useful. Use supportive communities such as the Mum vibes village to gain support from others. It can also be reassuring to see others going through relatable situations.
Celebrate yourself
Acknowledging and celebrating your successes can help build a sense of achievement and self-worth. It doesn’t matter how big or small, even celebrating getting the kids to school is reminding yourself that you are doing a great job!
Forgiveness
As well as celebrating your achievements, remember to not be too hard on yourself if things don’t go to plan. Nobody is perfect, motherhood comes with its share of imperfections and hiccups. Just accept these for what they are, and forgive yourself!
Practice gratitude
Spending time thinking about what you are grateful for can improve your self love relationship with yourself. Think about one thing each day you are grateful for, this can be something your body has done, a task you have managed to complete, a friendship etc. Think about starting a gratitude journal. Using a journal means you are likely to stick to recording a daily gratitude. It can also be nice to look back through these.
Be your own best friend
Speak to yourself as you would a friend. If you know something would be too unkind to say to someone else, don’t say it to yourself. Speaking to yourself in a negative way is likely to make you feel worthless and low on motivation. Try to take notice of how you speak to yourself when reflecting on your day or your appearance. Try to change any negative things to positive things. Find something positive about yourself or your day. Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how big or small.
Affirmations for improving self love
Self-love isn’t always easy, and there are simple ways of loving yourself more. Affirmations take seconds and can change the way you think about yourself by reinforcing positive thoughts about yourself. Practice them in front of a mirror, this may feel silly at first and focus on some that mean something to you.
- I choose to be kind to myself
- I am learning to forgive myself
- I appreciate the ways I am unique
- I am worthy of love and kindness
- I am enough exactly as I am
- I choose myself today
- My voice and opinion matters
- Today I am aiming for good enough, not perfection
- I am grateful for what I did today
- I believe in my potential
Final words on how to love yourself more
Remember loving yourself as a mother is not selfish. It’s important for you and your children. Loving yourself can help you become the best version of yourself for everyone. This can help towards having a healthier, happier home for all of you. You deserve the same love and care you tirelessly give to others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I find time for self-love amidst a busy schedule?
Prioritise self-care by scheduling dedicated time for yourself. Even short breaks can make a significant impact. It’s about quality, not quantity.
Is self-love selfish when there are so many responsibilities as a mother?
Not at all. Self-love is essential for maintaining a healthy balance and being the best mother you can be. When you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to care for others.
How do positive affirmations contribute to self-love?
Positive affirmations can rewire your mindset by replacing negative thoughts with uplifting ones. They reinforce a positive self-image, fostering self-love and acceptance.
