There are easy ways moms can practice self love that don’t take a lot of time, energy, or money, and yet have a big impact on your life.
If you’re like me and most of my clients, practicing self love isn’t at the top of your to-do list. That’s why making it easy is key.
7 Easy Ways Moms Can Practice Self Love
Here’s my list of seven easy ways moms can practice self love, based on my experience personally and also coaching my clients.
1. Write down 25 things you like about yourself.
For most women being harsh and critical about yourself comes naturally. There’s a constant sense of “I could be better” or “I could do more.” This feeling of lack can slowly erode your self love.
To combat this tendency of the “inner critic,” write down 25 things you like about yourself. This forces your brain to focus on the positive, and puts you into an “inner coach” mode that’s more loving.
Bonus points if you make this a habit—but make sure no repeats (every time you do the exercise, write down something new about yourself for maximum impact).
Resources:
- Your Self Love Tank (podcast)
- Who Mother’s Mom? (podcast)
2. Look in the mirror and tell yourself “I love you.”
Eye contact with yourself increases intimacy in the very best way. It’s a moment for you to see and acknowledge yourself.
Speaking “I love you” out loud has an even greater impact. Why? Because you can’t hide from you. You know what you look like without makeup. You know what your attitude is on your worst days. You know your biggest mistakes and darkest secrets. So there’s no hiding from you. When you say “I love you” to yourself, you’re acknowledging your humanness and giving yourself love anyway. You deserve this!
Resources:
- How To Empower Yourself (podcast)
- Thursday Inspo (weekly email)
3. Buy yourself flowers.
Flowers are a simple and effective gesture to someone you care about them. Buying flowers for yourself has the same impact, particularly when you have the intention of showing yourself love when you do it. It’s a moment created by you, for you, to give yourself the love you deserve. And go for the flowers you like the most!
4. Take care of your body in your method of choice.
There are many ways to show your body love. Everything from a bubble bath to relax your body to a run to strengthen your body to a massage to take care of your body.
Check in with your body. What does it need from you? Give it that.
Here are some ideas for how to take care of your body:
- Take a nap.
- Take a bubble bath.
- Get a good workout in.
- Get a massage.
- Get a mani-pedi.
- Buy a new outfit.
- Get dressed up.
- Get a haircut/treatment.
- Get a facial/treatment.
5. Do one thing today for your future self.
Self love is often gratifying in the moment, but you can also practice loving yourself by doing something today that’s loving for your future self.
Think about the future you who you want to become. What does she wish you’d do today to help her out in the future? Do that.
For example, if future you is more fit, then she might hope you would get some weight lifting in.
This can be for any way you want to change in the future—start today.
Resources:
- How To Become A More Mindful Mom (free class)
- Being Proud Of Yourself (podcast)
- Lessons To Teach Our Kids About Love (blog post)
6. Write yourself a love letter.
There’s something so powerful about the written word that cements what’s in our minds. Conversations can be rambly, hard to remember, and change topic frequently. But the written word is not like that. It’s much more thoughtful and intentional. And you my friend deserve all the thoughtfulness and intention in the world. So give yourself this gift and write yourself a love letter. As corny as it can sound ahead of time, once you do it, you’ll see that it’s not. It’s a way for you to give yourself love, connection, validation, and support. Write about how much you appreciate you, all that you do, how you show up in your life, and anything else you want to praise yourself for. Give yourself the love letter that you deserve.
Resources:
- Love Abundance (podcast)
- Doing The Inner Work (podcast)
7. Find a community of like-minded women.
Self love isn’t natural because as women we want to take care of others. This is a blessing in so many ways. And yet, we often take it too far, neglecting our own self love in the process. Joining a community of like-minded women is one way to be accountable to practicing self love for the long haul. This is what Mom On Purpose Membership is all about. It’s a space for like-minded women to do the inner work, cultivating a true sense of self love. Learn more about Mom On Purpose Membership here.
A Final Note
It’s so much easier to focus on others than focusing on loving yourself can get left on the back burner. In my experience, when you make self love a priority, not only do you genuinely feel better, but there’s also a ripple effect on how it impacts those around you. When you love yourself the most, everyone wins. XO