Self-love is making sure you take care of your own needs and not sacrifice your health and well-being to please others.

1. Stop ALL criticism

Criticism never helps any situation. Make a conscious choice not to criticise yourself or anyone else anymore. Accept yourself exactly as you are. 

If you have been criticising yourself for a while and it hasn’t helped you feel any better, try approving of yourself and see what happens!

2. Forgive and forget

Everyone makes mistakes and no one is perfect. As the saying goes when we know better, we do better! Next time you find yourself beating yourself up for something you did in the past. Stop and forgive yourself and then never think of it again. 

If a friend made the same mistake you would forgive them. Learn to not live in the past, let the past go. You did the best you could at the time with the understanding, awareness, and knowledge that you had. Now that you have learned more you will make better choices and you will live your life differently.

3. Think positive thoughts

What we focus on expands so stop terrorizing yourself with negative thoughts. Think happy thoughts and chase away the scary thoughts. 

By doing this you will attract positive situations and people into your life.

4. Be kind to your mind

Hating your own thoughts leads to self-hatred. Be gentle and kind with yourself. Don’t spend time hating yourself for having negative thoughts, we all have them occasionally. 

Next time a negative thought pops in to your mind, change the thought to a happier one ie: a laughing baby,  spending time with your pet, watching a sunset.

5. Give yourself some credit

Over time criticism breaks down the inner spirit whilst praise and positivity builds it up. So consciously praise yourself as much as you can. 

When you have a win, no matter how small, congratulate yourself.

6. Build a Network

No one wants to go through challenges by themselves, so it is important to reach out for help when you need it. 

Reaching out to friends and family members to ask for help will allow you to get the support you need to help you through difficult times. 

7. Love the positive and the negatives

Acknowledge that you created negative thoughts and patterns to fulfil a need. Now that you are on a different path find positive thoughts to fulfil those needs. 

Try to find new, positive ways to fulfil those needs and release the negative patterns that no longer serve you.

8. Worship your temple 

To look good on the outside as well as feel good on the inside, it is all about balance. Taking care of your mind/body/spirit means getting quality sleep, drinking water, regular meditation, eating a balanced diet and taking regular exercise. 

You take your car in for wheel alignments and regular engine services so you need to do the same with your own engine. This includes regular energetic tune ups including regular massages and reiki sessions.

9. Do Daily Mirror Work

Louise Hay advocates doing regular Mirror Work. She suggests looking into your eyes whilst expressing the love you have for yourself, and any time you need to forgive yourself. 

Mirror work can have a profound effect when working through issues or  disagreements you might be having with your partner/friend/parent. 

If you are one that doesn’t like confrontation (who does) disagreements can be healed and forgiven when you state your case whilst looking into the mirror. 

Don’t forget…before you go to sleep each night, look in the mirror and say, “I love you, I really love you”!

10. Love yourself… Now

There is no time like the present… begin your self-love exploration now. Don’t wait until tomorrow, don’t wait until you lose the weight, get the new job, or find the new relationship. 

Begin now — and be the best version of yourself that you can be today! With every sunrise comes a new day.