I have always struggled with the idea of self-love. The truth is, we all do. As college students, it's extremely easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. We tend to forget that it's not selfish to take some time for ourselves. Instead of going out with someone, take yourself out to that movie you wanted to see. Do your favorite things. As hard as it may be, self-love is as simple as appreciating what you are capable of. You deserve a chance at happiness, and you are the only person that can give it to yourself.
Tomorrow will be a better day, just remember that.
Instead of criticizing yourself for what went wrong, use that as motivation to improve for the next time. You are in college, so it's expected that you will make some mistakes. Yes, mistakes! For the longest time, I let the fear of failure take control of my entire life. Because of this, I remained stagnant while everyone else kept moving forward. Failure is to be expected when you're growing up. In spite of this, you should learn to love the person you've become because of those mistakes. Some days are just meant to be really, really bad days.
Stop checking your social media accounts so much.
That's right, turn your computer off and put your phone down. When you are scrolling through Instagram or Tumblr, you are only viewing the highlight reel of someone else's life. You have no idea what is truly happening behind the scenes. Everyone has their imperfections, even if they aren't visible from the outside. If you absolutely can't resist the temptation of your Facebook news feed, set some boundaries for yourself. Try to limit the amount of time you spend online each day; you will feel so much better when you stop comparing yourself to other people.
If you feel out of tune with your mind, start a journal.
Ever since I was younger, I have found peace through writing. It has always helped me come to terms with my feelings and self-doubt. Your journal doesn't have to be perfect. If journaling isn't your thing, try to find another creative outlet to pursue. One of the other things I enjoy doing to practice self-love is coloring. It allows me to reflect upon myself while creating something beautiful.
Pay attention to your body's needs.
It's okay to take mental health days when you aren't feeling the greatest. Both your body and mind need time to rest. When you are unhealthy, it is hard to be happy. Taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do to practice self-love.
As someone who can speak from experience, learning to love yourself isn't easy. It is often an uphill battle. There will always be times where you question what you are able to do. Self-love won't happen overnight. This guide was written by a girl who still has to work at it every day. It's a process, but we are all worth it.
