5 Simple Ways To Fall Back in Love With Yourself

2020, and even 2021 so far, has been pretty tough on most of us. It’s truly been a year (and more) like no other and I can absolutely vouch for it taking its toll on me and my mental health. Things have been tough in all areas; socialisation (of course), health (of course), but also I’ve felt the impact through work, personal relationships and getting to grips with better coping mechanisms.

With everything going on in the world, it became too easy to become so overwhelmed with responsibilities that I was forgetting to take care of myself, and so for the past 6 months, I’ve been trying my damn best to get back on track.

Now, we’re halfway through 2021, and it’s high time you worked on whatever may be dwindling your self-worth. Easier said than done, I know, but the truth is self-love is the greatest weapon you can possess. Thinking highly of yourself will help you appreciate others and build strong relationships.

Moreover, it will help you navigate life more calmly and with confidence. However, you must be prepared to work hard as relearning to love yourself is not easy. It is a lifetime commitment that requires a change of mindset and the willingness to get better.

There are many, many specific and longer term solutions that I hope to work through in the coming months, and hopefully share them here too, so this blog post is just the tip of the iceberg.

Here are five tips to help you start navigate this dark cloud.

Accept Yourself

The secret to falling in love with yourself lies in self-acceptance. Knowing who you are sets you on the road to self-discovery, where you easily accept your flaws and maximise your strengths.

Moreover, self-acceptance will prevent you from comparing yourself to others – which sounds easy in theory, but is a difficult one to work through.

Having spent so much time on my own this past year, I’ve spent a lot of time with myself, which ultimately has led me to a lot of self acceptance – the good, the bad and the ugly. I’d recommend you spend some quiet time with your own thoughts, too.

Embrace Your Passions and Femininity

One thing I’ve found about myself over lockdown and 2021 so far, is that I’ve ‘regressed’ some of my interests to rediscover a lot of the things I loved as a child and a teenager.

It sounds daft, but by not being distracted with going out all the time, going to bars, going on nights out, I’ve spent day times rediscovering my old loves: books, video games, pop punk circa 2005 that just makes me so damn happy. And it’s been kinda great.

In fact, it’s been kind of a joy to have some of that vibe back from my teenage years.

Similarly, I’ve indulged in things that have made me feel more or less feminine depending on my mood. I used to joke about sometimes dressing like a teenage boy on the weekends and like a ‘girl boss’ during the week at work, but now that the working-at-home thing has changed all that, it’s become more of a balance.

Some days I still wear makeup, heels and go the whole hog in sexy stockings that leave me feeling like the ultimate feminine bad ass. But most days, I’ve gone back to jeans, Converse and T-shirts. Some days I feel myself dressing ultimate femme, other days a more androgynous. Honestly, it’s more balanced and I’m enjoying it.

Create Time for Yourself

One thing we have had more of than ever since March 2020 is time!

Having time for yourself is essential in raising your self-worth. It’s where you can really work through your thoughts (good and bad) and evaluate where you’re really at.

As the world, hopefully, starts to go back to normal, always ensure to create a “me” time where you get to do what you love without feeling guilty. This can range anywhere from visiting your favourite spa, going out with friends, taking a vacation or just sleeping.

As you take care of others, ensure to love yourself first and prioritize your needs always.

Practice Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Although easy to ignore, your lifestyle habits could be the reason why you are constantly falling out of love with yourself. Actions such as poor eating habits, smoking, and alcohol are detrimental and may lead to you feeling worse about yourself. I was pretty guilty of that.

In 2020 I piled on the pounds, had a few too many wines than I’d like to admit, but at the time it’s what I needed to do to get through those really tough months where I really needed some sort of indulgence.

Now, in 2021, I am trying my best to turn that around. I’m trying to track what I eat and have cut out alcohol almost entirely. I make sure I move my body. No more intense weight-lifting gym sessions that I used to love, but more gentle walks out – taking some quiet time to try and be more calm.

Make an effort to exercise regularly, eating healthily, practising stress-relieving actions such as mindfulness, meditation and journaling and show kindness instead of indulging in such unhealthy behaviours. Such measures have the power to change your perception and will raise your self-worth within no time.

Stay Away From Negativity

Negativity is poisonous and a killer of self-love. To regain your self-worth, it sounds tough, but you must be ready to cut ties with anyone cropping unproductivity into your life. This may mean changing your friends, hangout joints and what you consume.

I’m guilty of being a glutton for punishment. I will knowingly watch TV shows that make me upset, for fun(!), and also do Insta-stalking that I know will hurt my own feelings. Now, I’m really trying to not even enter in to it. In fact, it’s been almost a year since I posted on Instagram – and I’m doing much better.

At other times it may mean re-evaluating your inner circle. Though dear to your heart, these people can be toxic and the cause of your low self-esteem. You, therefore, need to have a sit down with yourself and recheck if they are the cause of your sadness. In cases where they are the cause, find appropriate ways of communicating your feelings to them and telling them how their behaviour affects you.

Finally, have a meeting with yourself and check if you are the cause of your negativity. I know I can be, for sure. Sometimes it’s all in mind. Clear your mind using positivity enhancing measures such as mindfulness and meditation.

Take Away

The truth is there will always be something trying to steal your joy. The world is full of cruelty, and the best you can do is learn how to find your happiness amidst all the chaos. As you embark on this mission, please note that it all starts in mind, and you are the anchor of your joy.

Incorporate the above five tips in your day to day life for unlimited happiness and self-love.