We know that we should love our self, but sometimes we're not sure how to go about it. Here is a little checklist for you to get you started.
Begin by checking to see if your immediate physical needs are met at this moment. Do you need healthy food? Are you tired? Do you need sleep? Part of loving yourself is seeing to your needs sensibly. Sometimes we get in a bad mood simply because we're over-tired or haven't eaten in a while or have made poor food choices. If you need sleep or a good meal, see to that first.
How are you feeling? Do you need to talk to someone? Then don't just sit there, call someone. Talk to them about anything, it doesn't have to be about important things. Do you need to shift your thoughts away from unhappy thoughts or self criticism? Then do that. Get involved in some work or a project, put on happy music, do something enjoyable, read something uplifting, find friends and tell them you need to have some fun, but find some way to shift your thoughts away from sadness. Make it a habit to say encouraging, kind words to yourself.
When your physical needs are met and you are feeling okay, then it's time to think long term if your needs are being met. Do you have enough income that you are financially stable? If not, then come up with a plan to change this, and work on it until you have some financial security. Save money to get you through emergencies, temporary unemployment, and for retirement. Always have some money that only you can get to.
What about your emotional needs? Are you in a loving relationship? Wonderful. Are you in a relationship that makes you unhappy? If you are in a relationship that isn't good for you, that makes you feel bad about yourself, or that makes you unhappy, you want to show yourself love by ending the relationship. Are you lonely? Then make friends or start dating.
What about your health? Do you show yourself love by taking care of your body? Often we diet for looks, but what is most loving is to take care of your health. Sometimes health and losing weight overlap, but sometimes people diet and do not help their health or even harm it. It is loving to see to your health through healthy eating, exercise, keeping a sensible weight, getting enough sleep, avoiding cigarettes and other health risks, and getting regular medical care.
After all of these things, there is still more! If you are taking care of your needs, both in this moment and in the future, that is wonderful! But you can also show love "just because." Much like a loving parent would do, speak nicely to yourself. Maybe do something nice for yourself now, "just because." You don't have to have a need to be loving to yourself.
