6 things self-love is (and 6 things it's not)
written by Jasmine Irven
Self-love and self-care have become buzz words over the past few years and to be honest, I love it. I know they can kind of make you roll your eyes sometimes but they truly are important concepts to embody.
Especially if taking care of yourself is something you tend to overlook (whether that’s because you think it’s unnecessary or a waste of time or too “easy”), I’m encouraging you to reconsider! Chances are there’s a form of self-love that you need to practise.
Here are a few things that self-love is, and a few things it isn’t, to get you started on this journey.
self-love is
listening to your intuition and asking what would best serve you in the moment
taking care of your body, mind, and soul, and knowing that what that looks like will look different in the moment
being kind to yourself, even when you need a little tough love
creating space for you to explore your interests, passions, and creative outlets; asking yourself questions and getting to know yourself better
being your own cheerleader, and knowing that what other’s think of you isn’t as important as what you think of yourself (assuming you’re doing your best to be a good person in this world and aren’t harming anyone else)
moving forward, and even when things get hard, recognizing your worth and the value you bring to the table
self-love isn’t
giving yourself a pass or glossing over things in the name of “self-love” — you can love yourself and still recognize that you made a mistake, that your intention didn’t match the impact, or that a part of you needs to change
being conceited or believing you’re above everyone else
bubble baths and chocolate cake, all the time. Can it look like those things? Of course, but the practise is much deeper than that
an excuse to not do the hard things. Sure, sometimes self-love is opting out of certain situations but it also means recognizing when tough conversations need to be had, apologies need to be made, or when you need to step out of your comfort zone and just *do the thing *
remaining stagnant — you can love where and who you are but you likely still have room to grow, people you can serve, and goals to strive for
a set of rules to follow or a guidebook that stays the same; every moment is new and unique and self-love will look different in each
to me self-love looks like
waking up early to enjoy the morning light in our apartment and also sleeping in and enjoying the warmth of my sheets a little while longer
enjoying the process of making and drinking coffee, and other days recognizing that coffee won’t serve me
doing an intense workout, and also taking rest days
taking the time to make a super nourishing meal, and also sometimes ordering takeout
spending time with loved ones and also spending time alone
allowing myself to take a break, and also pushing myself
working hard towards my goals and also appreciating the moment and how far I’ve come
setting boundaries with work, relationships and people, and also recognizing the times when maybe these boundaries are more flexible
Do these things contradict themselves. Yes. They do. And that’s kind of the point! Self-love is knowing yourself well enough to know what you need in the moment, and giving that thing to yourself.
What does self-love look like for you?
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about the author
Hey there! I’m Jasmine, founder of the Sustainable Bliss Collective, a Certified Meditation Teacher, and lover of all things self-care, slow-living, and personal development.
I believe that ambition and self-care can coexist, and as such I hope to encourage and inspire you to take care of yourself, breathe deeply, connect with who you are, manifest your dreams, enjoy the blissful moments of each day, and make an impact in this beautiful world we call home.
Connect with me on Instagram here!
