Self-Love – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

11 Ways To Practice Self-Love

LaPorterFebruary 6, 2022Leave a Reply

It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary. – Mandy Hale

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s welcome February in with a discussion centered around self-love. When I think of February, I immediately think about Valentine’s Day and the concept of buying gifts for the people we love. But a thought came across my mind this week. What about spending some quality time this month focusing on self-love?

Self-love is taught to us as children and as we grow, we begin to nurture everything within us, both good and bad. Self-love requires you to be honest about your current choices and thought patterns. Remember, self-love is not a selfish act, but instead it forces you to undertake new practices and ways of thinking that reflects your self-worth.

WHAT IS SELF-LOVE

Self-love is the source of all other loves. – Pierre Corneille

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, self-love can be defined as an appreciation of one’s own worth or virtue. In other words, self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological, and spiritual growth.

Self-love can also mean:

Having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness.
Not settling for less than you deserve.
A transparent way that cultivates a mindset of gratitude.
The way we see ourselves and how we treat ourselves.
Having a safe place for you to share self-reflection moments.
Taking care of your own needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1 – SELF-LOVE WORKBOOK FRO WOMEN

SELF-LOVE EXAMPLES

To love yourself is to understand you don’t need to be perfect to be good. – Unknown Author

Now, here’s something else to think about. Self-love, self-respect, self-worth, self-care…What does all these words have in common? There is a reason why they all start with “self” because you can’t find them in anyone else. You cannot truly love another person until you know how to love yourself. I challenge you today to appreciate yourself just the way you are and then strive to become better each day. When you learn to love you, then others will love you the way you deserve to be loved in return.

Here’s some self-love examples to help you get started on this journey:

Prioritize yourself and designate time to do things that make you happy.
Spend quality time with people who make you smile and laugh.
Give yourself a break from self-judgement.
Speak to yourself in a positive and loving manner.
Trust yourself enough to make the right choices and decisions.
Always be true to yourself and respect your values.
Set healthy boundaries in all of your relationships.
Show yourself some grace and forgive yourself often.
Read an inspirational book or listen to an uplifting podcast.
Give yourself a positive pep talk each day by reciting affirmations.
Spend time reflecting on your life while writing in your journal.

Never lose sight of the main goal here. Loving yourself enough to pause and reset from time to time is necessary for you to continue your personal growth journey. Why you ask? Because you deserve a happy and fulfilled life.

WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-LOVE

You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anyone. – Maya Angelou

Moreover, self-love is important to living a well-balanced life. Would you agree? After all, everyone needs to practice self-love at some time or another, right? When we act in ways that expand self-love in us, we begin to accept ourselves more in the moment, have less need to explain away our shortcomings, are more centered in our life purpose and values, and expect living fulfillment through our own efforts.

Here’s some ways to practice self-love:

Become mindful. People who practice self-love often tend to know what they think, feel, and want. They are mindful of who they are and act on this knowledge, rather than on what others want for them.
Create a self-care routine that you practice regularly. Nourish yourself daily through healthy activities, like nutrition, exercise, proper sleep, intimacy, and healthy social interactions.
Calm your mind. Spend time in prayer, meditation, reading, or writing. You can try writing in your journal, walking outside, practicing breathing exercises or yoga.
Set healthy boundaries. You’ll love yourself more when you set limits or say no to work, love, or activities that deplete you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Step outside your comfort zone. Never be afraid to step out and try new things.
Protect yourself at all times. Protect yourself by allowing the right people into your life.
Forgive yourself. Practice being less hard on yourself when you make a mistake. Remember, there are no failures. There are only lessons learned.
Celebrate wins, both big and small. Always cherish and celebrate everything good that happens in your life.
Accept compliments. Don’t be shy. If someone gives you a compliment, accept it and know that you are worthy to be admired.
Cultivate a positive and safe place. Take time to clean and declutter your area. Then, add finishing touches to your space, such as new lighting, scented candles, plants, etc.
Live intentionally. Live with purpose and design. Make plans and accomplish what you set out to do. You need to establish your living intentions, to do this.

I have found that when I make time to practice self-love on a regular basis, I am a better wife, mom, friend, and co-worker. I am more disciplined throughout my day, feel rested, and ready to conquer the world.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2 – SELF-LOVE POETRY

SELF-LOVE AFFIRMATIONS

Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love. – Brene Brown

Like I’ve stated before, self-love is not selfish. You cannot love another person until you know how to love yourself. Work on being in love with the person in the mirror who has been through so much in life but is still standing.

Look in a mirror today and say these words out loud – I love myself today because I am beautiful, I am strong, I am powerful, I am fabulous, I am unique, I am blessed, I am smart. Repeat this exercise at least 3 times per day.

Here’s some additional self-love affirmations that you can practice reciting each day:

I value myself and I am proud of who I am.
I am beautiful, kind, and smart.
I am an unstoppable force.
I accept myself completely here and now.
I am healing more and more every day.
I am surrounded by love and prosperity.
I am worthy of all the blessings coming my way.
I release all doubts and insecurities about myself.
I am resilient and can get through anything.
I nourish my body with healthy food and exercise.
I deserve to love myself and to be loved by others.
I have the ability to overcome any challenge in my life.
I have the power to change my own story one page at a time.
I spread love to those around me and it returns in abundance.

Now, be creative and create your own self-love affirmations to describe yourself. Allow this to be your daily pep talk in the morning and repeat them throughout the day. Remember, when we love ourselves, it helps us feel our best in the inside, and when we feel our best, we can give more to those around us. I truly hope that I’ve given you some inspiration to become a better person within your own skin.

AMAZON RESOURCE #3 – A SELF-LOVE JOURNAL

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Don’t forget to fall in love with yourself first. – Carrie Bradshaw

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey, and everyone takes their own path. Ready, set, write!

How do you define self-love?
What do you love most about your life?
How can you improve your attitude and appreciate yourself more?
How much do you truly love yourself?
What do your loved ones admire about you?
Write yourself a love letter. Make sure to talk yourself through a struggle.
What is your self-care routine?
How can you create space for self-love in your life right now and in the future?

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS/COMMENTS

Sharing is caring. I would love to hear from you. Please answer these questions in the comment section. You never know, your comment may help someone else along their journey. How do you plan to practice self-love? What are some of your favorite self-love affirmations? After reading this blog post, what resonates with you?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

7 Ways to Express Self-Gratitude

LaPorterMay 14, 20217 Replies

Renew Inspiration, Express Self-Gratitude, Gratitude, Thankful — Renew Inspiration

Living in a state of gratitude is the gateway of grace. – Arianna Huffington

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s start today’s conversation with a question. How do you express self-gratitude? Self-gratitude is defined as being grateful for yourself, what you have, and the life around you. A simple act of expressing self-gratitude is powerful and can be compared to concepts, such as self-care or self-love.

AMAZON RESOURCE #1 – Gratitude Journal

7 WAYS TO EXPRESS SELF-GRATITUDE

When gratitude becomes an essential foundation in our lives, miracles start to appear everywhere. – Unknown Author

Self-gratitude is a lifestyle that you choose. Overtime, choosing gratitude means choosing joy for your life. It’s a choice that requires constantly renewing of your mind with truth, setting your heart to inspire others with creativity from within, and disciplining your tongue to speak words that reflect God’s goodness and His grace. Keep in mind there are limitless ways to express self-gratitude. For the sake of time, here’s my 7 favorite ways to express self-gratitude:

Keep a gratitude journal full of favorite lists, artwork or memories.
Take a walk and notice the beauty in nature each day.
Smile more often and compliment yourself in the mirror.
Watch inspiring videos or listen to uplifting podcasts.
Include an act of kindness in your life each day.
Tell someone you love them and how much you appreciate them.
Live mindfully in the present, not worrying about the past or future.

As you can see, gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside no matter what you might be going through in life. Believe it or not, gratitude changes the way we start the day, spend the day, and look back on the day.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2 – The Gratitude Journal for Women

JOURNAL PROMPTS

It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful. – Unknown Author

What’s a simple pleasure that you’re grateful for?
What’s something about your body or health that you’re grateful for?
What’s a tradition that you’re grateful for?
What’s one of your personality traits that you’re grateful for?
What mistake or failure are you grateful for?
What skill(s) do you have that you’re grateful for?
Write about some place you’ve been that you’re grateful for.
What’s something that you’re grateful to have today that you didn’t have a year ago?

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS & COMMENTS

Be the change you want to see in the world by making self-gratitude a part of each day. If we all practice gratitude more regularly, the world will be a better place. How do you plan to express self-gratitude in your life? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Ways To Improve Self-Love

LaPorterFebruary 14, 20213 Replies

Self-love is not selfish; you cannot truly love another until you know how to love yourself. – Unknown Author

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you who celebrate this beautiful day of love. Let’s take this opportunity to discuss a concept called self-love. When I think of self-love, I think of:

You accepting yourself fully with no exceptions.
You treating yourself with kindness and respect.
You nurturing your growth and well-being.

Without self-love, you may:

Be highly critical of yourself and others.
Fall into the “people pleasing” spectrum.
Tolerate abuse or mistreatment from others.
Neglect your own needs and feelings.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1 – Self-Love Workbook

DEFINE SELF-LOVE

You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously. – Unknown Author

Self-love like anything else can be defined in different ways by different people. Before we move on, let’s take a moment to define self-love:

Self-Love can be defined as love of self; an appreciation of one’s own worth or virtue; regard for one’s own well-being and happiness.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2 – Self-Love Workbook for Women

WAYS TO IMPROVE SELF-LOVE

The real difficulty is to overcome how you think about yourself. – Maya Angelou

Next, it is important to note that self-love not only speaks about how you treat yourself, but it also involves your thoughts and feelings as well. When you show self-love to yourself, you portray an overall positive view of yourself.

Here’s some great ways to improve self-love:

Write down and recite affirmations. When you change your internal narrative, you change the way you view yourself. For example, if you are looking for evidence that you are worthy of love, you will truly find love.
Forgive yourself when you make mistakes. Remember, you are human and sometimes you will make mistakes. Acknowledge the mistakes, then forgive yourself and move on.
Prioritize your health and well-being. Be intentional about what you put into your body and always plan for daily exercise.
Find ways to meet your own needs and hold yourself accountable. Always put yourself first and do things that make you happy. If you fall short, hold yourself accountable and make necessary adjustments. Then, move forward.
Accept your imperfections and find your happy place. Take a moment to embrace the here and now. Then, think of a place that makes it simple to just be happy.
Challenge yourself often. Take time to challenge yourself. Set realistic goals and pursue them daily.
Cultivate gratitude in your life. Gratitude helps lead you to happiness. Take time daily to write down what you’re grateful for. Visit this list often to reflect on the goodness of life and all that it brings.

AMAZON RESOURCE #3 – You Are A Badass Book

SELF-LOVE AFFIRMATIONS

Love yourself and the rest will follow. – Unknown Author

Finally, being kind to yourself helps you bounce back faster, live healthier, and stay on track.

Here’s some uplifting self-love affirmations to practice daily:

I am beautifully made.
I accept myself as I am.
I am worthy to be loved
I am confident and empowered.
I am worthy of everything good in life.
I deserve to be happy.
I am fearless and brave.
I am proud of my accomplishments.
I accept who I am and I love myself.
I am filled with kindness and gratitude.

Finally, I hope you have learned some different ways to help improve self-love in your life. Remember, self-love is the foundation of who you are which would allow you to be assertive, set boundaries, practice self-care, and create healthy relationships with others.

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process sis the bravest thing that we’ll ever do. – Brene Brown

I love journaling because it is a safe place for me to put my feelings and emotions into words, then put my words into action. Remember, journaling is your very own personal journey throughout life, your ups and downs, your successes, and failures. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Ready, set, write!

How do you practice self-love in your life?
What makes you happiest in life?
What does your dream life look like?
What do you need to forgive yourself for?
What are you proud of yourself for today?
What qualities do you think others admire about you?
What have you done lately that you didn’t get to brag about?
What is your self-care routine?
How much do you truly love yourself?
What have you learned from this journaling experience?
Write out your ideal vision of your “dream life”.
Write out 10 self-love affirmations.
Write out a perfect morning or evening self-care routine.
Write yourself a love letter.
Write out 15 compliments you can give yourself.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Embrace Self Love

LaPorterFebruary 2, 20202 Replies

To love yourself is to understand you don’t need to be perfect to be good. – Unknown Author

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s welcome in February 2020 by discussing self-love. What is self-love? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, self-love can be defined as an appreciation of one’s own worth or virtue. Self-love begins when we observe our actions and words with compassion as if we were our own best friend.

In addition, self-love is:

• Being honest about your current choices and thought patterns.

• Not selfish, but it forces you to undertake new practices that reflect self-worth.

• The way we see ourselves and how we treat ourselves.

• The motivation you need to make healthy choices in life.

• A safe place for you to share self-reflection.

• The gift that keeps giving.

• A way that cultivates a mindset of gratitude.

Finally, self-love is often times taught to us as children and as we grow, we begin to nurture everything within us, both good and bad.

Now, here’s something to think about. Self-love, self-respect, self-worth, self-care. What do these words have in common? There is a reason they all start with “self” because you cannot find them in anyone else.

Clear your mind and think about the questions below:

• Do you say yes when you really mean no?

• Do you seem to break promises to yourself often?

• Do you neglect your self-care routine over and over again?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to self-evaluate your life right now and begin to embrace self-love once again.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1

To begin with, here’s a great way to get started on your self-love adventure:

• Find some ME TIME

• Write in your journal

• Read an inspirational book

• Take a long walk and enjoy nature

• Exercise or do yoga

• Take a nap

• Relax and do nothing

WAYS TO EMBRACE SELF-LOVE

What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create. – Buddha

Before you can receive love and respect from others, you need to love and respect yourself. Keep in mind, self-love keeps us grounded and present. Self-love is not simply a state of feeling good, it is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological, and spiritual growth.

Here’s some ways to embrace self-love:

• Take time for yourself first thing in the morning and right before bed time. Pray, read God’s Word, write in your journal, read a book, drink a cup of coffee, meditate, do yoga, take a warm bath, etc.

• Exercise and don’t be afraid to mix it up. Exercise does the body good. Find something you love, but always try something new too. Do cardio one day and strength training another day.

• Give yourself more grace. Stop comparing yourself to others, but instead extend yourself grace.

• Tune out negative and toxic people. Limit your time and interaction with these people. Simply say no to the negativity and focus on the positivity in your life.

• Get plenty of sleep. Set a bedtime for yourself and stick to it – No Excuses!

• Don’t be shy and ask for help. Balance out your planner and daily tasks. Assign some stuff to your family or friends. Don’t feel guilty in doing so.

WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-LOVE

When I accept myself, I am freed from the burden of needing you to accept me. – Dr. Steve Maraboli

Moreover, self-love is important to living a well-balanced life. Would you agree? After all, everyone needs to practice self-love at some time or another, right? When we act in ways that expand self-love in us, we begin to accept ourselves more in the moment, have less need to explain away our short-comings, are more centered in our life purpose and values, and expect living fulfillment through our own efforts.

Here’s some ways to practice self-love:

• Become mindful. People who practice self-love often tend to know what they think, feel, and want. They are mindful of who they are and act on this knowledge, rather than on what others want for them.

• Create a self-care routine that you practice regularly. Nourish yourself daily through healthy activities, like nutrition, exercise, proper sleep, intimacy, and healthy social interactions.

• Set healthy boundaries. You’ll love yourself more when you set limits or say no to work, love, or activities that deplete you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

• Protect yourself at all times. Protect yourself by allowing the right people into your life.

• Forgive yourself. Practice being less hard on yourself when you make a mistake. Remember, there are no failures. There are only lessons learned.

• Live intentionally. Live with purpose and design. Make plans and accomplish what you set out to do. You need to establish your living intentions, to do this.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2

SELF-LOVE AFFIRMATIONS

You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anyone. – Maya Angelou

Here’s some self-love affirmations that you can practice daily:

• I accept and approve myself completely here and now.

• I am healing more and more every day.

• I am surrounded by love and prosperity.

• I am worthy of all the blessings coming my way.

• I release all doubts and insecurities about myself.

• I am resilient and can get through anything.

• I am worthy of loving and being loved.

• I value myself.

• I am an unstoppable force.

• I am proud of who I am.

• I nourish my body with healthy food and exercise.

• I am beautiful, kind, and smart.

• I spread love to those around me and it returns in abundance.

Now, be creative and create your own self-love affirmations to describe yourself. Allow this to be your daily pep talk in the morning and repeat them throughout the day. Remember, you cannot truly love another person until you know how to love yourself. Loving yourself enough to realize you deserve a happy and fulfilled life. Well, I challenge you today to practice self-love and appreciate yourself just the way you are. When you learn to love you, then others will love you the way you deserve to be loved in return.

AMAZON RESOURCE #3

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we will ever do. – Brene Brown

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey and everyone takes their own path. Ready, set, write!

• How do you define self-love?

• What do you love most about your life?

• How can you love yourself more?

• Describe yourself positively in 10 words or less.

• What are you proud of yourself for today?

• How much do you truly love yourself?

• Write yourself a love letter. Make sure to talk yourself through a struggle.

• What is your self-care routine?

• How can you create space for self-love in your life right now and in the future?

AMAZON RESOURCE #4

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

Let’s talk. Share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).