Intentional Self-Love: The Art Of Treating Yourself
Why treating yourself is the ultimate love letter to yourself
Happy New Year, It-Girls! Just like that we’re fully into 2021; the new year feeling is finally starting to wear off and the real work has begun. But I’m sure we’re all up to our eyeballs in motivational content telling us not to let things slip now and to keep going. So instead I’m going to talk about something that has probably been my biggest motivator since this whole pandemic started: treating myself.
I know I’m not the only one who lowkey feels a little icky thinking about indulging in frivolous whims at a time like this. But what I’ve learned over the past year is that treating yourself might just be the thing that keeps you going during these hard times. Let’s face it, with the constant restrictions and so many of us stuck at home for months on end, it can be hard to find things worth looking forward to. There were several points last year where I didn’t even want to work on my goals because it all felt pretty pointless.
However I came to the realisation, right around the time of starting this blog, that it’s actually the small luxuries that make life worth living. As a result, I’ve become a huge advocate for treating yourself as an act of self love, whatever way you can. Sometimes it means buying yourself something small that you’ve always wanted but keep talking yourself out of getting. Other times it‘s taking an extra half an hour to yourself to soak in the bath. Either way, treating yourself should be a reminder that you matter and that things won’t fall apart just because you did something for you.
If you still need convincing, keep reading; I’ll be sharing 3 reasons why you should treat yourself as well as more info on a new challenge I’m starting!
1. You Deserve Nice Things
No, that doesn’t make you bratty or entitled, and it also doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. We all deserve nice things, whatever nice means to you! Some girls like flowers, some girls like pizza, either way you are deserving of things that will make you happy and take your mind off life’s stresses for even a moment!
2. It's The Ultimate Burnout Cure
Treating yourself can actually help you reach your goals more easily! It’s human nature to obsess over something when you’ve put a restriction on it. Anyone who’s ever tried to stick to a super strict budget or no-carb diet will know, it doesn’t last and it makes you miserable in the process. Giving yourself a small win every month will motivate you to stay on track for the long run.
3. It’s an intentional act of self-love
Affirmations definitely have their place but a sure fire way to start programming your subconscious to truly believe that you 'love and accept yourself' is to put it into action. If you’re saying it in the mirror everyday and then telling yourself a million reasons why you haven’t worked hard enough or how people like you don’t get that thing you want, you’re not convincing anybody, least of all yourself. Get intentional about your self-love practice.
So the main reason I made this blog post is because I’m starting a challenge and I'd love it if you'd join me! The challenge is called ‘Treat Of The Month‘, a monthly mini-series I’ll be doing on Instagram Stories where I’ll be highlighting something I’ve done or purchased to treat myself as a practice of self-love. It's so easy to talk yourself out of doing anything for yourself, especially during these times! But hopefully this can serve as your monthly reminder that you are deserving of nice things no matter how big or small.
