happy february!! it’s the month of ~love~ which everyone either loves or hates – ironically. but i’m going to dedicate this month to SELF LOVE. starting with a helpful guide on how to implement all the self love practices. (okay maybe not aaaaaaall)

a how-to on self love:

01. slow mornings

i discovered this concept in a podcast and it’s really just: starting your mornings slow. i know not everyone has the privilege of taking your time in the mornings, but would recommend!! if you can set your alarm for earlier, do that. if you can avoid phone usage within the first hour or two, do that. this is something i need to work on for myself and know it’s not easy. but on the instances when i do practice a slow morning, i feel much much better about my day.

try: limit screen time, make your bed, journal, practice gratitude, and meditate. of course you don’t have to do all these things, but these are things that are helpful for me. writing it down like this is a way for me to tell myself to do the thing and not be a hypocrite !!

02. positive affirmations

this is something self-help sites always tell you to do and i always feel like a Fool when i do it. but i’m trying to be better. in the video, i wrote positive things about myself and put them on stick notes, but these things can also be helpful too:

• make an inspiring pinterest board
• watch a motivational talk (echm TED talk)
• take a class that motivates you
  • i’m mostly thinking of fitness classes where the instructor tells me i’m strong and capable to the point where i actually believe it but,,, do your version of this
• write (at least) three things you like about yourself each day
• fake it till you become it

03. do something unproductive (or destress)

this is your opportunity to binge watch youtube videos and netflix shows and call it self-love!!! because it sorta is!!!!! we me live in a world that only cares for productivity and belittles things like “doing nothing” or “wasting time” but… those things make you feel better as a person and heals your mental state. so here’s your calling to do something unproductive. if you’re unsure where to start, i got u:

• read a book
• watch a movie/show
• make art – paint, draw, etc
• bake cookies, bread, or whatever your heart desires
• go hiking or ice skating or adventuring
• or do that thing you’ve been wanting to do forever but keep putting off because there’s “more important things”
• mindlessly scroll on social media (OKAY MAYBE DON’T)

04. prioritize yourself

i say this in two parts which is: 1) say no to things. pretty self explanatory.

and 2) practice self care. self care is different than self love. some of the self care things can intertwine with self love, but doing self care doesn’t necessarily mean you’re practicing self love. make sense? not really? it’s fine. self care can mean different things for different people. but for me, it’s: putting on a face mask, lighting a candle, staying at home, among other things.

05. cleanse your spaces – physically + digitally

cleansing physically is pretty self explanatory: tidy your room (or go through a massive konmari cleanse) and wipe down your surfaces. unhauling!! it’s the greatest thing!

cleansing digitally is something that people often overlook. or shame themselves when they do do the thing. which is: unfollow people! 😀 yes, i know. people get petty and sad when they find out their friend unfollowed them but really IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU. it’s about me not needing to see your photos of millions of friends so i don’t continue to feel bad about myself and experience FOMO. or your cute outfit. or whatever. it’s hard to remember that instagram is really a highlights reel of someone’s life. they’re going to post #amazing photos of their travels, friends, eats, or whatever. i do it too! but if your feed becomes a space where you brew negativity towards yourself for not having the perfect closet, body, house, or life… you should really reevaluate.

also, it’s good to uninstall apps that enable bad habits (echm social media) from time to time. when i see i’ve spent hours on social media, mindlessly scrolling, i know it’s time to take a step back. and if you haven’t already, turn off notifications!!!!!! i don’t have any notifications on aside from: messages, email, calendar, and co-star. my priorities really. okay, just kidding. i also have misc things like google maps to tell me when to leave on time… but that’s it!!! (okay maybe also food delivery) point is: turn off notifications. you don’t need that. you’re going to check those apps anyway if they’re important to you. and you’ll do it at your own choice.

06. forgive yourself

this is hard but we’re working on it!! i always set ambitious unrealistic goals for myself for what i want to do for the day. then, i end up bullying myself for not meeting my expectations! haha fun!!! it’s something that needs to be stopped. as well as self deprecating comments. STOP SELF DEPRICATING COMMENTS. but anyway, when you feel yourself hating yourself (again), take a moment to pause and acknowledge that you’re trying your best. because we are! and if you did do something dumb, this is your opportunity to learn from this experience. forgive, learn, and move on.

07. practice & repeat

self love is not a switch that can be flipped over night. it’s constant practice and prioritizing yourself. it’s annoying and tedious but so so worth it. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

i hope you send some extra love to yourself (& your loved ones) this month (& the rest of eternity)~