How To Fall In Love With Yourself: 7 Daily Practices

These days, self love is everywhere. And for good reason too!

Historically, women have been taught to put everyone else first. We’ve been taught to derive our self esteem from how we can serve others. The idea of putting ourselves first was “selfish.”

Luckily, times are changing. We are now in the era of self love where we say goodbye to negative self talk and take responsibility for our own happiness.

However, you might find yourself looking for a guide on how to fall in love with yourself.

Well, that’s exactly what I have for you today! Because learning to love oneself can feel like a new path, I want to guide you through the steps of embracing more peace, joy, and overall well being.

Learning to love yourself takes conscious effort and it’s not just positive affirmations (although those do help!) It’s time to embrace your era of self love today. So, let’s get started with the most important part of your self love journey: understanding WHY to make self love important in your reality.

Why Learning To Love Yourself Is So Important

Learning to love yourself is not just a trendy phrase; it’s a fundamental aspect of leading a fulfilling and healthy life.

When you don’t love yourself, you might find that you’re constantly seeking external validation from others, comparing yourself to unrealistic standards, focusing on your perceived flaws, and experiencing negative self talk and negative thoughts. In other words, your internal state doesn’t feel good.

Without self-love, you may fall into patterns of fear and self-sabotage, where you prioritize others’ needs above your own, neglecting your own emotional well-being in the process. This can lead to burnout, resentment, and a perpetual sense of feeling depleted, as you pour from an empty cup, hoping to find fulfillment outside yourself.

When you lack self compassion, this can manifest in other aspects of your life, including with friends and family and at work. It’s hard to be in healthy relationships and love others, if you don’t love yourself first. You might find yourself settling for less than you deserve, tolerating mistreatment, or just remaining stuck because you don’t believe in your own abilities.

However, you can fall in love with yourself at any moment and become your own best friend. When you learn to love yourself, everything changes. You become more resilient in the face of challenges and you learn to set boundaries, as you develop a strong sense of self-worth. You feel confident and dedicate time to your own self reflection and self care. Instead of seeking validation from others, you become your own source of all the love, recognizing your inherent value, no matter what. Love replaces fear, and you see this have a ripple effect in your relationships, with your friends, and in your world.

Self-love empowers you to be honest with yourself, to prioritize your physical state and your needs, and to pursue your passions unapologetically. Your feelings are acknowledged and you fall in love with your life. The more you embrace self-love, you’ll notice a shift in your mindset, perspective, and overall well-being. Your life starts to fill up with self compassion, more self confidence, and less negative feelings. Your self-talk is kind and understanding.

Ultimately, learning how to fall in love with yourself is not just about feeling good; it’s about reclaiming your power, embracing your uniqueness, and living life on your own terms, for the benefit of your mental health and well being. To practice self love is to begin a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, leading to greater fulfillment, happiness, and inner peace.

So, as we embark on this journey together, remember that you are deserving of love, starting with the love and self compassion you give yourself.

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Benefits Of Loving Yourself

Embracing self love brings so many positive outcomes that permeate every aspect of your life. Here are some of the best concrete benefits:

• Improved Mental Health: Research shows that practicing self-love is linked to reduced levels of anxiety and depression. When you prioritize self care and self compassion, you build resilience against triggers and life’s challenges, and you cultivate a more positive outlook on life, including better self talk.
• Better Relationships: Self love fosters healthier relationships with others. By setting boundaries, communicating effectively, and recognizing your own worth, you create space for more authentic connections built on mutual respect and understanding. When you fall in love with yourself, it’s easier to fall in love with others!
• Increased Resilience: Self love equips you with the inner strength and confidence to navigate life’s challenges. Because you make mistakes, you everyone makes mistakes. You give yourself more grace, and others too. Instead of succumbing to self-doubt or that familiar voice of the inner critic, you develop a more positive view of the world, allowing you to bounce back from setbacks and pursue your goals with focus determination.
• Greater Productivity and Creativity: Did you know self love is essential to a successful life? When you love yourself, you are more likely to prioritize self-improvement and pursue your passions. You are focused on your own life and everything you do keeps your self care in mind. This can lead to increased productivity at work and a heightened sense of creativity as you tap into your authentic self-expression. Self love is the most productive thing you can do! It’s great for your mental health and your physical state—and it’s a key part of combating low self esteem.
• Vibrant Physical Health: Studies have shown that people who practice self love and self care tend to engage in healthier behaviors, such as yoga, exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep. When the body feels good, it’s easier for you to feel good. The more you tend to your physical self care, the more feelings like joy, happiness, and positive talk fill your day-to-day life. By prioritizing your well-being, studies have also shown you can even reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. In that way, self love is essential to being a healthy person.

The first step to improving every aspect of your life starts with self love, from your mental and emotional well-being to your relationships and productivity. By nurturing a loving relationship with yourself, you pave the way for living your most honest, authentic, beautiful life.

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How To Start Loving Yourself

Loving yourself begins with cultivating a nurturing and supportive relationship with the most important person in your life: yourself. Here are some practical steps to kickstart your journey towards self-love:

Set Boundaries

Many women struggle with not feeling heard. The best place to start is with boundaries. Setting your limits with others – even with kids – will help you discover and make time for YOU.

Recognize your worth and establish clear boundaries to protect your needs. Make time to fill yourself up, instead of cramming it in between everything else.

This means saying no to activities, relationships, or situations that drain your energy or compromise your values. Surround yourself with people who uplift and respect you, and distance yourself from those who undermine your self-worth. You teach people how to treat you and boundaries are the starting point.

Practice Self Care

Treat yourself with the same care and compassion you give to everyone else. Discover what fills you up, then prioritize it.

This includes prioritizing basic self-care activities, like getting enough sleep, nourishing your body with nutritious food, staying hydrated, and engaging in regular exercise (like yoga!).

Pay attention to your personal hygiene and grooming too, because taking care of your physical appearance can boost your self-esteem. The whole point is caring for yourself so you feel good inside your body.

Nurture Your Mind

What you consume, you become. Feed your mind with positivity and inspiration. Watch shows that make you laugh and motivate you.

Surround yourself with uplifting content, whether it’s through books, podcasts, or motivational quotes on Instagram. Practice gratitude and mindfulness to cultivate a deeper sense of appreciation for yourself and the world around you. Think of 10 things you’re thankful for, every day.

Challenge Negative Self-Talk

You don’t have to listen to the bully in your head. When you become aware of your inner critic, you can challenge negative self-talk.

Replace self-limiting beliefs with self love daily affirmations and empowering statements that reinforce your worth and potential. Remember that making mistakes is part of being human, and you can use setbacks as opportunities for growth, rather than reasons for self-criticism. One of the most helpful tips I’ve ever been given was to not believe everything I think – and you shouldn’t either!

Invest in Your Growth

You are worthy of your investment. The more you love yourself, the more you’ll start to take proactive steps towards your own personal development and growth.

Find a course you’d love to take. Set goals that align with your values and aspirations, and commit to continuous learning and self-improvement. Celebrate your achievements along the way, no matter how small, and acknowledge your progress with pride. Did you do yoga for 10 minutes today? That’s a win! Did you sign up for the online workshop you’ve been eyeing? Go you!

By adopting these practices and treating yourself with the love and care you deserve, you lay the foundation for a lifelong journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and fulfillment.

Remember that loving yourself is not selfish; it’s essential for your well-being and happiness.

How To Fall In Love With Yourself

Now, I want to take you through some actionable steps and practices to guide you on the path of falling in love with yourself, while fostering inner peace, joy, and fulfillment along the way.

Here’s a few steps to get you started:

1. Practice Self-Compassion

Be nice to yourself! Start by treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to others.

When life gets hard, acknowledge your feelings without judgment and remind yourself that it’s okay to be imperfect. Practice self-compassionate language and affirmations to cultivate a more nurturing inner dialogue.

2. Embrace Your Uniqueness

You are not for everyone—and that’s okay! Celebrate what makes you unique and special.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your strengths, talents, and quirks that set you apart. Are you a bookworm with great recommendations? Do you love to make soup and share it with your neighbors? Is singing in the rain truly your favorite hobby? Embrace what makes you, you.

Take pride in your individuality and recognize that your differences are what make you interesting and valuable. We wouldn’t want a whole world of just you’s or me’s. We need everyone to show up as their unique self, including you!

3. Do Things You Love

Life is short, so do the things you love. This might look like setting aside time to indulge in yoga, painting, or a long bubble bath. Anything that brings you joy and fulfillment.

Whether it’s pursuing a hobby, spending time in nature, or letting your creative juices flow, prioritize things that resonate with your passions and interests. By nurturing your desires, you’ll cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and most importantly, self trust.

4. Practice Mindfulness and Presence

If you’re a yogi, you’re probably already doing this. So, you know you can cultivate mindfulness by bringing your attention to the present moment without judgment.

One of my favorite mindfulness practices is doing a meditation with an eye mask on while in a supported savasana. Do your favorite meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply bring your full presence to your daily activities.

By cultivating mindfulness, you’ll develop a greater sense of awareness, acceptance, and appreciation for yourself and your experiences.

5. Set (and Honor) Your Boundaries

Setting boundaries is all the rage but the most important part is keeping them!

First, identify your personal boundaries and communicate them to others. This can be done gently, it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Just be sure to respect your own limits and prioritize your needs, even if it means saying no to others.

By setting and honoring your boundaries, you’ll demonstrate self-respect and create space for authentic connections based on mutual respect and understanding. And who doesn’t want that?!

6. Cultivate Gratitude

Ahhh…the two magic words: Thank you. You can practice gratitude by acknowledging and appreciating the blessings in your life, both big and small.

Keep a gratitude journal or simply take a few moments each day to reflect on the things you’re thankful for. Cultivating gratitude fosters a positive mindset and helps you recognize the abundance and beauty that already surround you.

7. Invest in Self-Discovery

Remember, you are worthy of your own investment. Take time to explore and understand yourself on a deeper level. Reflect on your values by journaling, practicing self-reflection, or seeking therapy to gain insights into your inner world and uncover your true desires.

By doing this, you’ll gradually cultivate a deeper sense of love, appreciation, and acceptance for yourself. Remember that falling in love with yourself is a journey, not a destination, so be patient and compassionate with yourself along the way.

Ways To Love Yourself First Daily

Loving yourself first is a daily practice that requires intentional effort. Start your day with a moment of gratitude for your existence and set an intention for the day ahead.

Throughout the day, incorporate small acts of self-love into your routine to stay connected with yourself and honor your needs. Here are some simple yet powerful habits to prioritize self-love daily:

• Drink enough water to stay hydrated and nourish your body.
• Take deep belly breaths to center yourself and alleviate stress.
• Moisturize your skin to nurture and pamper yourself.
• Listen to what your body needs, whether it’s rest, movement, or nourishment.
• Practice positive self-talk and affirmations to boost your self-esteem and confidence.
• Take breaks to rest and recharge, honoring your need for downtime.
• Do things that bring you joy and fulfillment, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day.
• Set boundaries to protect your time and energy.
• Prioritize restful sleep by creating a calming bedtime routine. (Hint: Sneak in a few nourishing yoga poses before bedtime to help you unwind, like child’s pose).
• Express self-compassion and forgiveness when faced with life’s challenges, recognizing that you’re doing the best you can.

By incorporating these daily habits into your life, you’ll empower yourself to prioritize your happiness each and every day.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to go deeper, yoga for self love can serve as a powerful tool in the journey of falling in love with yourself. Through the practice of yoga, you have the opportunity to reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit, fostering a deeper sense of self-awareness and acceptance.

By tuning into the present moment, releasing tension, and cultivating inner peace, yoga offers a pathway to self love for women.

Whether it’s through gentle stretching, breathwork, or meditation, yoga invites you to celebrate your inherent beauty within. Ultimately, by incorporating yoga into your self-love practice, you can cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and navigate life’s challenges with grace, resilience, and love.

If you’re interested in practical kriya yoga as a way to improve your daily life and relationships, check out my Yoga for Self Mastery course.

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