6 Practical Ways to Becoming Your Beautiful Self: Self-Love

Subtle yet powerful steps to embrace your body and cultivate deep self-love.

If you struggle with accepting yourself, then you are not alone. I have been there too!

Searching for tips and tricks to guide me to self-love and acceptance was a journey.

I found plenty of advice online, but none of it resonated with my journey of recovering from an eating disorder.

Loving yourself is hard, while comparing yourself to others often feels effortless. But where is the balance between these two extremes? How can we accept ourselves without constantly measuring our worth against others?

I only started seeing real progress in my journey to self-acceptance when I began forging my own path. However, you need to find out what is helpful for you and then work with that.

In this blog, I want to guide you through six practical steps to becoming your beautiful self, which hopefully will help you practice self-love.

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1. Self Love starts when you stop with the negative self-talk!

It is so easy to fall into the habit of negative self-talk and negative thinking, especially when referring to ourselves.

Negativity often feels more natural to us humans than positivity. It’s almost like our minds have a built-in bias towards focusing on the negative aspects of life.

But think about why you do it. Why be negative when positivity can offer us so much more in life?

Perhaps it’s because you struggle to see the good in yourself, or maybe it’s a way to cope with boredom. For many of us, negative self-talk has become so deeply ingrained that we don’t even realize we’re doing it.

Talking negatively or thinking negatively is damaging to our mental health and well-being.

When we consistently talk/think negatively, we become victims of a loss of self-worth and begin to pity others.

It not only affects us but also our aura, which is what emits our energy, which then affects those around us.

One major way negativity begins:

Negativity mainly stems from the comments and experiences we’ve gathered over the years.

For instance, comments made by others can deeply affect our self-perception, shaping the way we think about ourselves

That’s why it’s crucial to be mindful of your words and treat others how you want to be treated!

Consider this: would you speak to your loved ones the way you speak to yourself?

Chances are, the answer is no.

So if you think that you are unable to treat yourself with kindness, use your creativity to project what you think about your loved ones onto yourself. A weird way of putting it, right?

How can I stop?

Start by saying one positive thing about yourself every day.

Say it to yourself after waking up, as this is when your brain has new energy, and you need this energy for a new start. It might feel strange at first, but it does become easier.

When I first started, it felt uncomfortable to start my day by giving myself something positive to think about, but gradually, I started incorporating more affirmations into my routine.

Affirmations For Self-Love/Acceptance:

1. I am worthy

2. I am loved

3. I am drop-dead gorgeous, handsome, amazeballs

4. I am valid

5. I am accepting

2. End the comparison cycle

Comparing yourself to others isn’t going to get you anywhere.

Everyone is different — we have different needs, appearances, behaviours, experiences, and lives. No one is the same, not even twins!

This is why we need to learn to embrace these differences; it is what makes the world diverse and fascinating!

Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle

Jon Acuff

Comparing myself made me hate my life. I consistently focused on others’ lives, losing sight of my own. This was especially noticeable while I was in hospital, recovering from an eating disorder

Instead of focusing on recovering, I was being held back by other patients’ journeys and experiences. Some had been ill their whole lives, which made my eating disorder punish me for not being as ill as them.

If you find yourself comparing yourself, follow these 4 steps:

Step back and take a breath. When you feel overwhelmed by the negative comparisons, stepping back will give you a moment to regather your thoughts and gain clarity and perspective.

Try to distract yourself. Do an activity or a hobby. For example, watch a film, journal, dance, or be creative. I always go on a walk and surround myself with nature. I found nature to have a calming effect, but this can be different for everyone.

Only you will know what will help you calm down and refocus. Removing yourself might seem rude now. But, remember, your needs are more important. They can look after themselves like you need to look after yourself.

Keep a gratitude journal. Write down things you’re grateful for. That can shift your focus from comparing to appreciating.

Take a few moments each day to jot down three or more things. They should be things you’ve accomplished or are grateful for.

Doing this can improve how you view your day. Sometimes we get so caught up in the negatives that we forget the positives

Remember that you are one of a kind. You are one in a million.

The person you’re comparing yourself to may also be comparing themselves to you. Instead of comparing, focus on yourself and your journey.

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3. Incorporate some mindful movement

I know, I know, you’ve probably heard this one a lot, but I’m not talking about yoga — though that’s great too.

I’m talking about dancing. Yes, you heard me right, dancing.

When I don’t feel like I can carry on or when I feel uncomfortable in my body, I put on some headphones, find a feel-good playlist (which takes forever for me — I’m way too picky when it comes to music), and dance.

I don’t think about looking perfect; I sway my arms around, slide across the floor, move my booty, and have fun.

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4. Working with the mirror and not against

Struggle to look at yourself in the mirror?

Been there, and it sucks.

What helped me was not having a mirror at all. This wasn’t a choice I made at first, but I’m glad it happened. I moved, and I wasn’t bothered to buy certain things, like a mirror. I have one in the bathroom, and that’s enough for me.

When I had a mirror, I would spend hours each day just staring at my reflection. But unlike Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, who worshipped his reflection, my reflection only served as a canvas for self-criticism.

I’d constantly be looking for flaws and criticizing my body, which didn’t help me in my recovery

Now, that doesn’t mean you should never look at yourself in the mirror again. But I’d limit it — sound strange? Let me elaborate

By limiting the time you spend in front of the mirror, you free up mental energy to focus more on the tasks at hand, such as doing your hair, brushing your teeth, applying makeup, and so on, rather than on body-checking or criticizing.

Linking to point 1. Adding affirmations or quotes onto your mirror as daily reminders can serve as daily boosts of confidence, reinforcing a healthier mindset and promoting self-acceptance.

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5. Nourish your body

Nourishing your body is the most important thing you can do! Your body needs food to function.

Even if you don’t feel comfortable in your body or find yourself comparing yourself to others who seem ‘skinnier,’ and who eat less, it’s crucial to provide your body with the nutrients it needs

I understand that eating might feel challenging or ‘wrong’ at times, but consider this: would you rather live a life of misery and restriction or embrace a life where you have the freedom to eat whatever, whenever, and however you want?

It is important to listen to your body’s needs. If you are thinking about or craving something specific, then that’s exactly what your body needs.

If you’re craving a pizza, a cookie, an apple, or anything else, enjoy it without hesitation. Don’t let your brain or societal norms dictate what you can and can’t eat.

If any of these foods trigger feelings of restriction or fear, then come along to my blog on overcoming fear foods

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6. Self-love/acceptance will take time

Becoming your beautiful, authentic self and reaching a place of self-love is a journey that unfolds over time.

It’s natural to encounter moments of doubt and struggle along the way, and you may feel tempted to give up. However, I encourage you to never give up, even when the path seems challenging.

Remember that progress in self-love is not always linear. There will be times when it feels like you’re taking steps backward rather than forward.

But it is important to recognize that these moments of struggle are also part of the journey. They provide opportunities for growth, learning, and resilience-building.

Every step you take, whether forward or backward, contributes to your overall progress. Even setbacks offer valuable lessons and insights that can help you evolve and become stronger.

So, embrace the journey with patience and compassion for yourself, knowing that each step brings you closer to where you want to be.

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Your First Step To Self-Love/Acceptance Has been Taken

If you’ve reached the end of this blog, thank you for reading. By delving into these six steps, you’ve gained practical knowledge and embarked on a journey toward positive change.

The number six symbolizes self-love and beauty, reflecting your commitment to embracing a new perspective. Your dedication to reaching this point signifies your care and desire for personal growth.