53 Examples of Self-Love

Did you know today (February 13th ) is Self-Love Day?

I’ve written about how practising Self-Love grows your business.. read it here

And I promised to share some ideas on what that can actually look like! 

To make it easier - think of self-love like romancing yourself. 

We don’t need to have a partner to experience romance. And to be honest, I believe that we shouldn’t put all our happiness and romance in one person’s hands. That’s too much pressure for them PLUS you're missing out on so many other ways you can experience romance. 

So, what does love and romance mean to you? Everyone's different. Some people love the idea of flowers, chocolates, love letters, surprises, pampering, special dinners.

What do you need to feel loved? Do you require:

• Words?

• Gifts?

• Touch?

• Quality Time?

• Acts of Service?

Perhaps you want/need all of the above in some form!? Then give that to yourself. That's what Self-Love means to me, at least. 

What we crave from others we actually crave from ourselves. Here are some ways that you can make your body, mind and soul feel special, loved, cared for and valued.

WORDS

• Write yourself a love letter and/or card and give it to yourself tomorrow!

• Read gorgeous poetry, or better still, write a poem to yourself.

• Look in the mirror and tell yourself how much you appreciate yourself.

• Write a message on your mirror in lipstick, something you’d love to read.

• Record yourself saying something loving to yourself and listen to it.

GIFTS

• Buy yourself your favourite flowers (better still, have them delivered).

• Save up and buy a gorgeous ring, necklace or bracelet and every time you look at it, let it remind you that you love who you are!

• Take yourself off to your favourite coffee shop and have that cupcake.

• Bake yourself a cake or cookies – heart shaped of course!

• Book yourself into a Spa.

• Treat yourself to something you have had your eye on. Get it gift wrapped.

• Make yourself breakfast in bed.

• Make sure you send yourself that love letter so you receive it in the post.

 

TOUCH

• Slather on gorgeous body lotion—be present and slow.

• Get a pedicure.

• Get a manicure.

• Dance to your favourite music and feel your body move.

• Give yourself a massage.

• Book a massage.

• Wear cashmere or silk.

• Wear gorgeous underwear.

• Book to have your hair done.

• Have a gorgeous bath with bubbles, champagne, candles and music. Feel the water all around you. Heavenly!

• Hug yourself!! Why not?

QUALITY TIME

• Listen to your body’s needs - stop when it tells you to! Set a time to finish working by.

• Spend more time doing what you love - in your business and your personal life.

• Write in a journal - allow your feelings out.

• Be mindful when you eat.

• Be mindful - full stop.

• Spend time in beautiful places.

• Make sure you take a lunch break (even if it's only short).

• Spend time in nature.

• Unplug.

• Meditate.

• Date Yourself...(scroll to the bottom for examples of Self-Dates).

ACTS OF SERVICE

• Say yes if someone offers to help you.

• Delete or delegate as many things as you can.

• Pay someone to iron your clothes.

• Have your car washed.

• Hire a cleaner.

• Hire a coach.

• Hire a personal trainer.

• Hire an assistant (a virtual one will also help you build your business).

• Hire a child-minder.

• Hire a chef.

• Get your shopping delivered.

• Remind yourself that you DON'T HAVE TO DO IT ALL YOURSELF.

Date yourself

Take yourself on a date! It's great fun. Don’t worry about other people thinking you look like a ‘loser’. In all honesty, many people will feel envious of the fact that you are obviously comfortable enough in your own skin to spend some quality ‘me time’.

Try one of these:

• Coffee shop.

• Cinema to watch the film none of your friends are interested in

• Take yourself on a walk and be present.

• Go to an art museum.

• Go to the beach (if you are lucky enough to live near one).

• Visit a nearby (or not so nearby) city and explore.

• Take your camera out and get some great shots.

What other examples do you have? What does Self-Love and Self-Care mean to you? 

Sending you so much love.
Emma xx
P.S. Not sure which category you fall into? Take the Love Language Quiz and find out which of the areas above you crave the most. 

7 WAYS SELF-LOVE INCREASES YOUR BUSINESS

SELF-LOVE & HOW IT BUILDS YOUR BUSINESS

7 Ways Loving Yourself More Will Increase Your Business

Running a business can be stressful enough. Add to that a partner, children and family. Plus, you may have a 9-5 too or if you're full-time self-employed you may have found yourself in the feast or famine cycle. Even if you have consistent clients and money each month, then there’s social media, marketing and creating new, fresh content.

We can end up spinning in our wheels. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer. Far from it.

I want you to take a deep breath, put the kettle on and switch everything else off as you read the rest of this…

“Self-Love = Success”

And I’m not just talking soaks in the baths and early nights (although I do highly recommend them).

I’m talking about building a strong relationship with YOURSELF. 

Unless you’re bringing in a lot of automated passive income, your business needs YOU.

And one of the best ways to ensure you (and your business) remain healthy, consistent and on top form is to invest time in YOURSELF. 

I know, I know. You’re wondering how the hell you’ll fit all that into your schedule too. But hear me out.

Self-Love means you:

1) Put yourself (and your business!) first regularly. 

Rather than bottom of the pile. 

Even the airlines tell us, we have to put our own oxygen mask on first. When we practise self-love, putting ourselves first becomes easier. You’ll start to see that putting your own needs before your partner, children, parents actually serves them better in the long-run. 

Okay, I’m not talking ALL the time or neglecting your kids. I just mean that you make it clear that you and your business have needs as well. After all, your business’ success may well be the family ticket to financial freedom. You’ll be able to send your kids to the best schools, pay for incredible holidays and experiences together and even enable your partner to retire early. This doesn’t happen overnight and it certainly won’t happen if you always drop everything and rush to their needs. 

Do what you need to do. Hire a cleaner. Get more childcare (when COVID buggers off and we can!). Hire a VA (virtual assistant). Explain to your partner what your BIG vision is and that you'll be unavailable. Create a space for you to work with the least distraction possible. 

And don’t just work! Self-care for you and your business means having time to switch off too.

2) Allow yourself to dream BIG!

When you practise self-love it means you simultaneously build your self-belief and confidence muscles. They go hand-in-hand and act like a team. 

Self-love enables you to not just KNOW that your business dreams are possible but you’ll actually take strides to make them happen!

3) Set clear boundaries & speak up

Following on from the last two points: make sure when you say yes to someone/thing you aren’t saying no to yourself. 

Don’t feel you have to take on extra work or clients that are less than ideal. The more you do this, the less you’ll have time and space for your YESES and your dream clients. 

Keep practising saying what you mean. Let your yeses be yeses and nos be nos. 

As one of my coaches always says: "If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no!"

Ask yourself: is this in alignment with my dream lifestyle and business vision?

4) Make better business decisions

The more we practise self-love, the more we're drawn to doing things that give us headspace. The more you do this the more creative you’ll be. The more amazing ideas you’ll get to serve your clients and bring in income. 

When we have a strong relationship with ourselves we listen to our gut instinct. We are less likely to do things just because others in our industry are. We become more authentic. We allow ourselves to be guided by what’s true to us. 

And that means you…

5) Stand out in your industry

The more you practise self-love the more you accept and embrace all your quirks and what makes you unique. This means you'll happily show up in a way that shows you're different to everyone else and you will stand out. 

You'll create a brand that is a true reflection of YOU. It sounds simple but honestly - allowing yourself to choose the colours, styles, clothes, fonts, website, images that reflect YOU is a game changer in business. You will shine like a lighthouse to your ideal clients. 

It becomes easier to create content too because you’re being YOU and you know your message.

6) Understand that you’re not for everyone

“You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who hates peaches.”

— Dita Von Teese

There will always be someone (either a stranger trolling online or even a so-called friend) who'll make a comment about you and your business. 

The more self-love you have, the less this will knock you. You’ll grow a thicker skin and any comments will just be like water off a duck’s back. 

Consequently, putting yourself out there on social media won’t feel as scary because you know you’re coming from a place of service and if some people don’t get it, that’s just them.

7) Make time for your health and life-balance

Self-love means you won’t spend every waking hour working. It means you’ll be more compassionate with yourself. You’re not a robot! Don’t expect yourself to be.

If you get no sleep, eat at your desk and don’t get any exercise and fresh air (not to mention fun!) this will not serve you or your business in any way. 

The more you practise self-love the more you’ll start to take better care of yourself. It will become a habit. 

And remember: self-love means you’ll want to do more of what you LOVE which will include spending quality time with your loved one. 

See – I told you this was a win-win for your children, partner, family and friends!

So next time you find yourself burning the candle at both ends, stop and ask yourself what YOU want and need and then give it to yourself guilt-free. 

Leave a comment below telling me how you intend to show yourself some more love and compassion.

Emma x