Are you in need of self-love lately? If so, here is a list of 20 unique but tangible tips for self love for millennials.
Introduction
In the chaos of the world today, one of the most important things we can give ourselves is the gift of self-love. The kind, compassionate love that only we can give ourselves.
What is self-love?
At the end of the day, self-love can mean something different to each one of us. Though, at its core, it’s different acts of love that we give to ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Self-love is:
- Having compassion for yourself
- Giving yourself grace
- Taking care of yourself
- How you treat yourself
- The words you tell yourself
- Caring for your needs
- Putting yourself first
And so on. Self-love is about how you treat your physical self just as much as the way you think and speak about yourself.
If you’re in need of some extra self-love, I’ve put together a list of 20 tips for self love. These tips have helped me time and time again. Read on to get started!
Why Self Love
The one person you’ll always have in your corner is ultimately you. Until the end, you will always have you.
This is why self-love is so incredibly important. If we spend our lives putting others first or following society’s ideals and not our own, we end up empty-handed.
We have to fill our own cup first. Put our own needs, desires, and dreams first whenever we can.
The more we do this, the more we’ll be able to show up as better, fuller versions of ourselves. If we’re in a state of happiness and contentedness, the more we’ll be able to contribute to the world and help others.
Self-love is truly the best gift we can give ourselves.
Tips For Self Love
1. Do something only for you
When was the last time you did something that was solely and purposefully for you alone?
Things to do for yourself:
- Go on a solo day trip
- Start a secret hobby
- Have a “Me day”
- Go to the spa for a day
To make it even more special, consider keeping it to yourself as something that’s only for you. It’s like keeping a special secret with yourself that only the universe knows. You’ll find it surprisingly empowering and exciting.
2. Give back to others
By giving back and doing something for someone else, you also end up ultimately giving back to yourself.
Whether you choose to donate money, or time, or anything else that you can give to another person, this can cause a positive shift internally.
You’ll feel helpful, important, and as if you’re part of something much bigger than yourself.
Get out there, volunteer, help your community. Your soul will be grateful you did.
3. Mind your inner talk
It’s so incredibly important to pay attention to the thoughts that enter your mind. The more you listen, the more you’ll recognize thought patterns, as well as the emotions that result from them.
Watch the things you are telling yourself. Are they positive and lead to positive emotions? Or perhaps, are your words harsh and lead to negative emotions?
Mind the language you use when speaking to yourself. The things we think are what we eventually become.
Let that language be positive, empowering, uplifting. Love yourself through how you speak to yourself.
Related: How to Powerfully Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs
Related: Free Mindset Mastery Checklist
4. Allow yourself to dream
Giving yourself space to dream is such a beautiful form of self-love. Think back to when you were a kid and it felt like there were endless possibilities in life. Well – that is still absolutely true for you.
Let yourself dream as if anything can happen for you.
Dream as if no one will criticize you.
Simply let your mind wander wherever it wants to go.
Leaning into your deepest dreams will reveal your desires for your life. Let those thoughts arise. Listen to what they’re telling you. If you’re brave enough, act on them!
5. Forgive yourself
Perhaps you find yourself holding on to things from the past. Whether it’s mistakes or failures, regret, or uncomfortable feelings.
It’s time to release all those negative thoughts, resentment, guilt, or anger.
When you finally choose to forgive yourself, you make space in your life for the future to emerge.
What do you want to forgive yourself for?
Write it all down. Let it all flow. If it helps, burn that piece of paper after you’ve written it down, as a symbol of moving forward.
6. Write a letter to yourself
There’s something so beautiful and special about writing a letter to yourself, then reading your own words back to yourself when the time is right.
Whether you choose to write a letter to your future self or past self – you’re essentially giving yourself the self-love that you need.
By writing a letter to yourself, you’re also making your thoughts and emotions more real and tangible. You’ll be surprised by the wisdom that you’re able to give yourself by simply writing it down.
Whenever needed, come back to your own words. You can find healing, love, and guidance.
Related: 5 Letters to Write to Yourself for Self-Love
7. Do things that make you feel alive
Go do those things where time doesn’t seem to pass. Where you can spend hours getting lost in it because you love it so much.
For me, that’s exploring new cities. I’m an adventurer at heart – and travel makes me feel ALIVE and glorious!
Ask yourself:
- What activities make me feel ALIVE?
- What makes me feel glorious?
Then, go do all those things as often as you can. This is a wonderful act of self-love.
Related: 15 Inspiring Ways to Feel More Empowered In Your Life
8. Chat yourself up
I’m sure you cheer on your favourite people often. Now, how often do you cheer yourself on?
Chat yourself up! Be your number 1 hype woman!
Use affirmations as a practice to get started.
- You are AMAZING
- You can do ANYTHING
- You will CRUSH IT
You can use these affirmations first thing in the morning, or whenever is needed.
Alternatively, before you do anything scary or that makes you nervous, give yourself a pep talk. Talk yourself through the situation, and chat yourself up! Remind yourself of how epic you are.
If this feels uncomfortable, just pretend you’re talking to your best friend. Remember, you are your own best friend first.
Related: 30 Uplifting and Empowering Affirmations To Create Your Dream Life
9. Let yourself be selfish
Allow yourself to be unapologetically selfish.
There may be things in your life that you put off because you were considerate of others around you. Maybe they said it wasn’t worth it. Or that it was a bad idea.
However, as an act of self-love, let yourself have any or all those things you desire.
Do it alone if you have to – you’re doing it for yourself anyway! If needed, keep it a secret and enjoy it even more.
10. Create a WIN folder
One of my favourite self-love tips is to create a WIN folder. This is a collection of all your different wins that you’re proud of.
Whether it’s a digital folder or a physical collection you keep in a box, the point is to collect all your wins and keep them in a safe space that you can return to any time. Whenever you open it up, you can relive and remember all the amazing things you’ve accomplished so far.
Your WIN folder can include:
- Pictures from important events
- Your favourite messages or letters
- Screenshots of compliments
- Meaningful trinkets like awards or certificates
- Project presentations
- Anything other wins that make you proud
Then, whenever you’re in need of some extra self-love, come back to your WIN folder. Remember that you’re amazing, you’ve accomplished so much, and you’re not alone. There is only more to come.
11. Write down your favourite memories
Similar to your WIN folder, you can write down all of your favourite memories. If you like to journal, this makes for a perfect journal entry.
List down all of your favourite memories. Break them down in detail. Make it colourful and include your emotions and feelings.
Whenever you’re feeling down, come back to it. Let yourself remember the great memories and know that there is more where that came from.
12. Remove negativity from your life
Hello, detox!
Every so often, it’s so important to step back and analyze if negativity has entered your life – in the form of people, habits, actions, or thoughts.
Start with writing a list of things things that bring you down, don’t make you feel your best, people or places that make you feel uncomfortable.
Know that this can also mean things that aren’t seemingly tangible. For example, you might consider removing specific apps from your phone or unfollowing accounts that trigger you.
Little by little, take action on removing these things from your life. See how much lighter you feel.
Let it all go.
13. Get crystal clear on your boundaries
One of the most powerful tips for self-love that gets often overlooked is setting and keeping personal boundaries. This is an act of knowing yourself – knowing what boundaries are important to you.
Get clear on what doesn’t work for you. What kind of things are non-negotiable? How do you choose to protect your time, space, and peace?
As you develop your boundaries, be sure to inform the people who need to know. And the hardest part, but the most important part is to stick to the boundaries you set.
This is your way of prioritizing yourself and protecting your own peace.
14. Ask yourself the BIG questions
You know, the big, tough, sometimes scary questions to ask.
- Who are you?
- Why are you here?
- What are you meant to do?
Since you’re answering these questions for you, and you alone, you can be vulnerable and completely honest.
See what you reveal to yourself.
Maybe you’ll discover new things about yourself every time you use tough questions as a journal prompt.
If you make it a practice to ask yourself similar questions often, you’ll also notice how you grow and evolve.
Related: 50 Journal Prompts for Self Discovery and Personal Growth
15. Read an old journal
Mainly to see just how far you’ve come.
Younger “you” had a different mindset, perhaps knew a little less and navigated the world in a different way.
Let yourself appreciate the journey you’ve been on. Love yourself for all that you didn’t know. Let go of those things that younger you worried about so much.
Smile at how far you’ve come and how you’ve evolved to a different person today. More than this, you’ll be reminded that future you will also just smile back when they read what you’re writing about today.
16. Create Vision Board Index Cards
Recently, I stumbled upon a YouTube video by Lefie, who shares how to create Vision Board Index Cards.
What are they? Essentially, they’re your vision board but written out in a series of index cards.
The beauty of this is that your vision board becomes instantly portable and accessible. Carry them with you when commuting, traveling, or sitting at a coffee shop.
Since they are index cards, you can also easily switch up your vision board as you grow and evolve.
Changed your goals? Switch those cards.
Sparked new visions for your future? Create new cards.
Further, there is something wonderful about reading your dreams to yourself every day, or whenever you need an extra boost of self-love.
Try it out, and let me know how it goes!
17. List down everything you love about yourself
What are all the things that make you amazing, wonderful, glorious?
What do you love about yourself?
What makes you unique and special?
Write all these things down. Again, you can use your journal to keep it in a safe place that you can return to any time.
And be sure to return to your list whenever you need it. Whenever you’re feeling down, in need of self-love and compassion.
Related: 50 Journal Prompts for Self Discovery and Personal Growth
18. Build a Gratitude practice
Gratitude is so powerful. By simply noticing the good in our lives, the more we are primed to experience joy and happiness.
Notice the little things.
Appreciate the big things.
Smile at the beauty of nature.
Pause to say thank you for your life.
A gratitude practice can differ between all of us. You don’t need to make it yet another overwhelming task to do every day.
The most important thing is to just start being more aware, and noticing what you are grateful for. Write it down if you wish. Or acknowledge it in your head.
For me, my gratitude practice is finding a quiet moment to myself, and jotting down at least 5-10 things I’m thankful for. This has helped me notice and anticipate all the beautiful little things that life gives us.
19. Work on your intuition
Your intuition is your inner self. The more you trust your intuition, the more you’re building self-trust.
Start paying attention to what your inner self is telling you. The next time you have to make a decision, listen closely to your intuition.
The more you work on trusting your gut, you’ll find that it’s always leading you exactly where you’re meant to go.
20. Build a self-love ritual
Last but not least, make a self-love ritual for yourself.
After you’ve tried all the different tips for self-love on this list, note which ones make you feel good. Which ones suit you the most? What tips do you find yourself coming back to?
Then build a little customized self-love ritual that you can embed into your weekly schedule, or can keep coming back to whenever you need an extra dose of self-love.
Conclusion
These tips for self love are personally near and dear to my heart, after guiding me through my own self-love journey.
I hope you find some tips that can support and guide you through your own self-love journey. Remember that it is a life-long journey. You’ll find that some activities resonate more in different seasons of your life.
Let your self-care rituals evolve and grow just as much as you do.
Sending all my love to you.
XX
Tam
Which self-love tip resonates most with you?
Leave a comment below!
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