5 Life Changing Ways to Practice Self-Love!

Practicing Self-love is probably one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  Many of us know that we should practice the art of Self-Love,  but many of us rarely make time.  So,  what exactly is Self-Love?

Self-love is the practice of nurturing your mind,  body,  and soul and being mindful of what all three need.  Mindfulness is an important part of  Self-love.  Being aware of areas in our lives in which we can grow and improve play a huge role in living a happy life.

If you’re not quite sure where to start in your journey to Self-love try starting with these 5 Life Changing Ways to Practice Self-Love.

1. Practice Optimism

Optimism means always seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and always expecting the best outcome.  It means knowing that everything will always work out for the best.  It means being positive about the future and all its endeavors.

When we practice Optimism we learn to think positive and push negative thoughts out.  Negative thoughts are a killer of dreams and a crusher of goals.  Being an optimist means all positive all the time.

So,  what happens when the outcome isn’t as expected?

Optimist NEVER see unexpected outcomes as negative.  We see them as a chance to learn,  grow,  and perfect.  Unexpected outcomes are nothing more than lessons on the pathway to success.  Now,  I’m sure you’re thinking easier said than done and I might agree with you,  but,   as an optimist myself,  experience has thought me that everything happens for a reason.  If it didn’t happen at the time you wanted it to it’s because you were not quite ready yet and there’s more to be learned.

[mks_pullquote align=”left” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#adadad” txt_color=”#ffffff”]”To be Optimistic is to have HOPE.” 

“HOPE is very powerful it has started movements, won wars and saved lives.  So, imagine what it can do for your life”……

…Toni Jones[/mks_pullquote]

To be Optimistic is to have HOPE.   Hope is very powerful it has started movements, won wars,  and saved lives.  So,  imagine what it can do for your life.

2. Forgive Yourself

A second way of practicing self-love is to forgive yourself.  How many of us have been beating ourselves up over failed ventures,  unaccomplished goals,  and past relationships?

I did,  for many years,  until I realized that beating myself up over and over again did nothing for me but create unwanted depression and self loathing.  It took away my happiness even if only for a short time.  It was toxic to my well-being.

When you decide to forgive yourself for things in the past,  you will began to understand that everything you go through in life is preparing you for your future.  I’ve said this before and I will say it again,  you are being prepared for your purpose.  It may be to minister to someone else in the form of a teacher,  counselor,  mother,  life coach,  writer, etc.  It may be to become the first to pave the way for others.  But,  whatever it is,  all that has happened to you is to build strength,  endurance,  knowledge,  and character for your purpose.

[mks_pullquote align=”right” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#b2b2b2″ txt_color=”#ffffff”] “Forgive yourself so that your mind and soul can be free to love others and yourself.”….

…Toni Jones[/mks_pullquote]

So,  forgive yourself so that your mind and soul can be free to love others and yourself.  You are a testimony.

3. Embrace Being Different

The third way to practice self-love is to embrace being different.  No,  more I wish I had better ________ or I wish I where more like______.  And please,  please,  no more I don’t like my______.  This stops Now!

In order to practice self-love you have to love not only parts of you but all of you.  You must embrace being unique and different.  Listen,  there is no one like you in this world and that’s really special.  Get off the wheel of look-a-likes and be who you know you are in your heart.

Look,  I get it.  It’s hard to step away from the crowd sometimes.  Being fearful of what others think is a fear we’ve all had.  Those who sit in judgment of you are not people who care about your well being.   And,  when you come to realize that what others think does not effect you,  you will began to embrace being yourself.

[mks_pullquote align=”left” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#b5b5b5″ txt_color=”#ffffff”]”As soon as you realize that what others think does not effect you,  you will began to freely embrace being yourself.”

…Toni Jones[/mks_pullquote]

Accepting that your looks,  likes,  thoughts,  and experiences are different and unique is a necessary step in Self-love.  No more second guessing or hesitations with your decisions and choices is a feeling that is as free as flying.  It’s ok to be different,  as a matter of fact it’s awesome!

This step to self-love is an important one.

4. Believe in Yourself

Believing in yourself is a critical step in practicing Self-Love.

So many of us look for validation and encouragement from others and that’s ok.  Having a dependable support system is great,  but a great support system is useless if you don’t believe in yourself.

Believing in yourself has a lot to do with confidence right?  Well,  yes it does,  but it has Everything to do with Faith!

When we’re attempting new things and navigating uncharted waters we may lack the confidence we usually have with things we are more familiar with.  But,  Faith can change all that.  Faith is believing without proof.  It’s accepting your success as truth before it even happens.

[mks_dropcap style=”letter” size=”52″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#000000″]

“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

… Jesus

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Faith is a secret weapon that many speak of,  but few actually practice.  It is essential to believing in yourself and it is as necessary as the air you breathe.

You can do anything!  You just have to believe.

5. Celebrate all Wins Big or Small.

You did it!  Now it’s time to pat yourself on the back.  It doesn’t matter how big or how small the accomplishment is they are all wins.

Never  downplay small accomplishments celebrate them.  It keeps you pushing for the bigger goal and it allows us to  enjoy the journey a whole lot more.  When we fail to recognize our accomplishments we fail to enjoy were we are now compared to where we started from.

[mks_pullquote align=”right” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#afafaf” txt_color=”#ffffff”]“When we fail to recognize our accomplishments we fail to enjoy were we are now compared to where we started from.”

…Toni Jones[/mks_pullquote]

It’s like running a marathon,  you will need a few sips of water along the way to refresh as you make your way to the finish line.

You deserve to sit in your accomplishments and love yourself for pushing through all the hard work it took to make it to this point as you work towards the finish.  You are now and should forever remain your biggest cheerleader.  Cheer even when no one is looking.  Celebrating  yourself is one of the greatest feelings you will ever experience.

These 5 steps to Self-Love will help you on your path to Loving yourself.

Taking the time to figure out what we need for happiness to enter into and stay in our lives is pertinent to having a strong body,  a healthy mind, and a kind and loving soul.

And remember, “to practice self-love is to know that you are worthy.”

photo credit: DioBurto Big Smile via photopin (license)