Self-love allows you to treat yourself with kindness and respect. When you practice self-love, you feel more comfortable establishing boundaries with others especially when you are feeling overwhelmed. You can take the appropriate steps to care for yourself. When you have self-love, you are aware that perfection is not the goal. Instead, it is about knowing that you are worthy just for being you. Self-love has nothing to do with how much money you have, your appearance, or how smart you are in school. The journey to self-love sounds so daunting. Here are 5 steps that you can do to make this journey a successful one.  

First, you need to make time for yourself.  Fifteen minutes can do wonders towards your self-love journey. In a society where multitasking is often expected, doing one thing at a time can sound foreign. However, it is important to schedule time where you can focus on yourself and your well-being. If you are one of those people who are extremely busy during the day and can’t seem to find the time to care for yourself, waking up 15 minutes earlier than normal can do the trick or maybe going to sleep 15 minutes later could give you the space that you need to relax while investing in yourself.  

Second, pick an activity that will help you look within. We suggest journaling or using a workbook. We recommend one related to self-love. Using different colored pens and pencils in your journal or to answer questions in your workbook can give you a pop of color that can make things more interesting. You can even practice different hand lettering styles to give your journaling a more fun experience. Make it your own and experiment with different colors and shapes.   

Third, find a special place that gives you comfort. This could be sitting on your bed or sitting on a couch with a blanket. You need to do this in a relaxed state of mind where your ideas can flow, and your stress can melt away. The most important thing is to spend 15 minutes of uninterrupted time taking care of yourself and checking in with yourself. If your closet is the only place where you can be left alone, that still works.  

Fourth, try to engage all your senses for a deeper relaxation experience. You might want to light a candle or turn on a diffuser. Maybe drink your favorite tea and add some soft or spa music. Wear your softest pajamas and submerge yourself in the experience.  

Last but not least, allow yourself to be vulnerable and open-minded. Find a workbook that has prompts that will help you explore different areas where you might feel stuck. When you give yourself permission to be vulnerable, growth and healing are within reach. If you are feeling scared or overwhelmed, notice those feelings, take a deep breath, and let them go.  

If you start to face challenges and feel like you don’t have time, or you get too busy, or have feelings of not being worthy, be patient with yourself and remember to make yourself a priority. We won’t always feel like making time for ourselves. However, consistency is key. Explore the world within you. Making time for yourself is never a waste of time. You are worth that and more!