Self-love is the way to success. There, I said it. You can’t grow and improve without first accepting and appreciating yourself the way you treat the people that you love.

The way you treat yourself sets the tone for every other aspect of your life. Through integrating certain small yet effective practices into your daily routine can help reignite your spark and begin liking yourself again.

Yet, before we dive in, as I take you through this guide, you must remember one thing: self-love isn’t narcissism. It’s about being kind and treating yourself as you deserve. Because you truly deserve the world. And it begins with you giving yourself the love you seek from others.

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1. Acceptance

You will never truly improve and live your life without accepting yourself for who you are – flaws, quirks, and all. This means acknowledging and embracing what you actually like and dislike, instead of going by whatever others’ opinions are. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that your body is willing you to feel.

Forgive yourself for the times that you may have felt like you let yourself down. Let go of past mistakes to learn your lessons and grow. Take care in how you talk to yourself, allowing positive affirmations to replace any self-criticism to manifest through your life and self-image. Taking guilt-free rest when your body is screaming for a break is not laziness; it's necessary self-care.

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2. Romanticisation

Romanticising your life is the key to enjoying your own individual company. Learning to romanticise your daily existence makes the mundane more perfect. Take breaks away from people and your phone to fully embrace your own company. Whether that means taking yourself out on dates: a coffee trip, a trip to the cinema, or even just a springtime walk.

Nourishing both your mind and body to romanticise a cleaner, more productive lifestyle whilst treating yourself correctly and healthily. Adopting a ‘main character’ mindset makes you see yourself as the protagonist, which you are, making you embrace every challenge and joy with purpose.

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3. Affirmations

Daily repeated affirmations engrave positive thoughts about your life and identity into your brain, that you will become more confident and positive. This can be done in different ways. Whether it's in the mirror out loud, repeating them in your head, listening to them on a Podcast, meditating, or writing them down in your journal - whatever it takes for them to sink in.

Your thoughts shape your perception of reality, so make them positive. A good one to start with is “I am becoming the best version of myself every day”. Remember, repetition is key; the more you affirm your worth, the more you will believe it.

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4. Staying Curious and Educated

Continuously keep that brain moving: a mind that is constantly learning is a mind that thrives. Educate yourself in every area that matters to you, whether that’s doing more reading or researching little topics or just staying up to date with the news. This links nicely to the idea that you should never be afraid of risks.

In life, you are going to have hundreds and thousands of moments where you feel afraid to do something, or something seems risky, but if you go through with it, you will grow incredibly, becoming the best version of yourself. Continuous learning keeps you inspired and ever-evolving.

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5. Spoil Yourself

Yes, discipline and healthy habits are a must, but that doesn't mean you can’t treat yourself. After a long, hard day of work, don’t feel bad about getting a sweet treat from the shop on the way home, or rotting in your bed and watching your favourite show after working your butt off all day!

Remember the 80-20 rule: 80% of the time, you should be trying to be your most productive, healthy version of yourself, yet the other 20%, you should be treating yourself to what you want and deserve. When you allow yourself joy without guilt, you cultivate a healthier relationship with yourself.

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At the end of the day, self-love is a lifelong practice. Staying consistent and showing up for yourself, even on the tough days. Some days are harder than others, but every effort counts. Forever treating yourself with the same kindness, patience, and love you offer others is the most important thing.