5 Self-Love Rituals to Practice Daily
I believe the key to happiness is practising self-love. If you're wondering what a self-love ritual is, think of it as a self-care routine. It's something you do to feel both spiritually and physically connected to yourself.
Focusing on your well-being can help you feel emotionally balanced and content with your life, which is why I've listed five of the most critical areas you can focus on to create positive habits in your daily life.
Let go of negativity
We all do it. We all carry around negativity even if we don't realise it.
No one is perfect, so stop expecting perfection out of yourself. Stop focusing or comparing yourself to others. The successes of others should not be the measure of your self-worth.
Forgiveness is also crucial to your well-being. By learning to forgive, you choose to move on and focus on a positive future. This means your happiness is not determined by anyone else’s decisions.
When I start the day feeling down, I like to recite a positive mantra. Something simple that you can say to yourself over and over again. "I am kind. I am loved. I am safe." Whatever works for you.
It's essential to recognise your strengths and your areas for improvement. Keep a little notebook to use as a gratitude journal. Each day, write down three things you are grateful for and three positive affirmations about yourself. It helps to get into a positive mindset before bed so you can wake up feeling great!
You can also practice removing negative thought patterns through meditation and mindfulness. If a negative thought comes into your head during the day, acknowledge it and then let it go; focus instead on the present moment rather than worrying about what could have been. If you're new to meditation, try using apps like Headspace or Calm - they have great guided meditations and breathing exercises to help you get started.
Set Boundaries
Boundaries can help you focus on the people and things that matter most to you. Whether you use time limits, take things day by day, or use goal setting, boundaries are an excellent way to practice self-love.
I love to have projects completed quickly; I hate loose ends or leaving things unfinished. I like to set a goal and achieve it that day. It doesn't have to be a big goal, just little tasks to help me feel that sense of achievement.
You might also find setting boundaries with specific people beneficial, especially if you find their presence in your life particularly stressful.
Take care of your body
This is more than just making sure you get 8 hours of sleep or eat well.
Taking care of your body can also mean staying hydrated, encouraging movement through stretches like yoga or dance, taking a moment to breathe deeply and listening to your body needs.
Since I was 14 years old, I have practised Reiki to channel energy and support my body. I also regularly see my herbalist and naturopath to assist with my well-being by understanding what vitamins and minerals my body needs and discovering natural ways to support and heal my body.
Cleanse your environment
Let’s focus on connecting with nature. When I'm not out on daily walks or breathing in the sea breeze, you can find me using sage smudge sticks and essential oils to create a calm, clean space at home and work. I particularly like using doTerra's range of essential oils, like On Guard, Clove, Lemon and Easy Air when we're feeling sick.
Sometimes, cleansing your environment means removing distractions. For me, a moment of silence helps me ground myself and bring focus. I also love using the Calm App for the kids and me. We do guided meditations and listen to sleep stories to help calm busy minds. It works wonders at bedtime!
Heal your emotions
Practising mindfulness through meditation or simply finding some ‘alone’ time to be with your thoughts is enough for most people to feel emotionally balanced. Others may prefer finding peace and joy through hobbies or activities, like taking a walk, listening to music... or in my case, making jewellery. I am never more comfortable or calmer than when I'm designing and making jewellery.
I am also a very spiritual person, so I like to surround myself with gemstones. Not only do they look pretty, especially in jewellery, but I believe they can help us feel connected to nature. Many gemstones are believed to channel energy which can help with all sorts of ailments or emotional stresses. For example, Rose Quartz is believed to balance emotions and open your heart to love and romance.
The important thing is to find what works for you. So, how do you practice self-love?
