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What is self-love? That’s a loaded question for sure.

But before a person is able to practice is, we must understand what it means.

According to the BBR Foundation:

Self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth. Self-love means having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness. Self-love means taking care of your own needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others. Self-love means not settling for less than you deserve.

It doesn’t matter if you are in a relationship with someone else or not. The truth is that you are ALWAYS in a relationship with yourself.

YOURSELF.

You cannot escape yourself no matter how hard you try. And you can only receive love to the capacity that you love yourself.

So what are you telling yourself?

What are you feeding yourself?

How are you nurturing yourself?

How are you listening to yourself?

What are you choosing?

YOU are a beautifully WILD soul, present in your own life, fully ready to embody who you came here to be. I know that self-care can often be put on the back burner, so I thought I’d share a few things which really help me when I might need a little nudge remembering to take care of myself:

1. Get really clear on the needle movers

I am the lead productive procrastinator of procrastinators. If there’s something I should get done first but, honestly it scares me, I’ll find something else productive that will take priority. While it’s never not productive work, when I catch myself doing this, I have to stop. It’s a distraction from doing the hard work that matters.

Working on the fluffy things that don’t move the needle isn’t actually productive. I have to stop myself and get laser-focused on what will actually benefit me right now. Everything else is a distraction and, while it might be hard, I can let it go.

Get back focused on your priorities and the work that is actually moving the needle.

2. Know your energy givers and drainers

This can mean people, activities, food. Whether it’s taking a break for a walk outside, making the time to prepare your lunch instead of ordering out, choosing to cuddle with your kids or dog. Whatever gives you energy, it is incredibly important to do. Try bringing more things that do give you energy to balance and crowd out those that don’t.

Knowing this of yourself takes some time and tuning into yourself. But the more you do it, the more you’ll get to know yourself.

3. Listen to and nourish your body

Your body knows exactly what it needs if you listen. We are constantly trying to fight our bodies own inclinations. I know for me, it’s been mentally taxing this winter because my body wants to sleep. Too many years of sleep deprivation and now it’s saying “uh ah, we are doing this”.

And I’m letting myself rest because that’s what my body is telling me to do. Tuning in and giving your body what it needs when it’s telling you is going to be a game-changer.

Make friends with your bodies. Learn to listen because it speaks. Give your body the nourishment it craves. Thank you body, for being exactly as you are and telling me what you need. Treat your body like it belongs to someone you love.

4. Give yourself grace

As a recovering perfectionist, easier said than done, I know. We are always harder on ourselves than anyone else and we are often our own worst enemies.

But does that really help?

What does this mean? Be conscious of the way you speak to yourself, especially on days when you aren’t feeling your best. Give yourself the praise you’d give your best friend when she’s doing well or when she’s struggling. Acknowledge the hard work you’ve done, even if it seems there’s so much more to do. Accept your humanness.

The way you speak to yourself truly matters and has a huge impact on your mood.

When you care for yourself, you make simple good food for yourself. Here’s a quick recipe to give you a boost of brightness and energy. These lemon energy balls are a delightful source of all-natural 100% plant-based organic ingredients that provide a real source of sustainable energy when you need it on the go. If you have a food processor, you can whizz these bites together in minutes.

Nurturing yourself at the deepest level is the first step toward creating a life full of health and happiness. And, in turn, you’ll have more to offer the world.