Self-love is a hot topic these days. And for good reason too. It’s hard to live your best life when you are constantly inside your head and feeling less than normal. But how do we cultivate more self-love in a world that always has us comparing ourselves to someone else’s highlight reel?
While I am always a work in progress, I can confidently say that implementing all the action steps below has transformed the way I view myself and the world around me.

• Find reasons to be grateful. No matter how bad you think you have had it, there is always something to be grateful for. Having a gratitude practice where you write down a few things you are grateful for daily shifts your mindset towards one of positivity and recognizing there is still good in your life.

• Forgive yourself and others for mistakes.
  No one is perfect and part of being a human is making mistakes. But beating yourself up over it only chips away at your confidence. When you screw up, acknowledge it, learn from it, and then move on. Also, practice forgiveness towards others as living your life full of bitterness and animosity will bring you down and keep you stuck in a circle of negativity that impairs your personal growth.

• Do nice things for other people. There is no better way to get out of your own head than to do nice things for others. While volunteering or donating money can certainly feel good, it doesn’t have to be some grandiose gesture. Simply smiling at a stranger and saying hello, holding the door for someone, or helping an elderly person can go a long way in lifting your spirits.

• Have honest and open conversations.
  You don’t need to lie, gossip or say yes when you really want to say no. These are all traits of people who don’t feel good about themselves. Sometimes, we put others down to feel better and say yes to every opportunity so others will like us. Trust me, I have been there and I know that only leads to feeling burnt out and resentful. By speaking your truth and being honest, you will feel more light-hearted and confident in owning who you really are and people will respect you more for it.

• Don’t compare yourself to others.
  Comparison really is the thief of joy. Owning your own unique abilities while trying to appreciate and be happy for the accomplishments of others will go a long way in helping to believe that you are good enough as it is.

• Move your body daily in a way you enjoy.
  Exercises releases endorphins which elevate your mood and make you feel energized. Knowing you have done something good for your body can really help increase your confidence which can have a positive carryover into all aspects of your daily life. All in all, appreciate your body for what it can do, rather than how it looks.