Let’s face it, 2020 (& 2021 at this rate) has shown that self love and self care is more important than ever! So whatever it is to you, try and practice a little more self love this year! And here are 12 ways I show myself self love… that don’t cost a penny (because, let’s face it, you really don’t need to… and it’s not like you can head down to the spa right now anyway!). And here’s a smattering of Selfies from my Instagram! Mainly because I like them, and mainly because in each of those photos I’ve done at least one of these before hand!
Have a PJ/Bed Day
While obviously it would be nuts to do this everyday… sometimes you just need a potato day. Where you don’t really get up, you lay in bed (or on the sofa) in your comfies, watching chick flicks and drinking gallons of tea. You don’t need to achieve something every single day, and it’s so important to take the time to recharge and reset.
Get All Dressed Up!
I mean this is a personal one- and obviously a complete contradiction to the last point, but I guess that’s what self love is, doing what you feel you and your body needs at that point in time! There is something about wearing nice, flattering clothes and having your hair done and (if it’s your think) a full face of makeup on that just makes me feel ready to tackle the world! And while I’m not saying you can’t be loved or rock it unless you do this… but it makes me feel soooo much better when I get up and out of my PJs and into some nice clothes!
Feed Yourself
I would say eat all the sugar in your house… but all that would do is give you a sugar rush followed by a crash (not that I don’t do that WAY too often). But in this instance feed yourself with some delicious, but nutritious and healthy food! Something that not only tastes nice, but gives you the energy and nutrients you need to be happy and healthy! Go to’s for me is Salmon with greens, a chicken and root vegetable tray bake or a cottage pie!
Meditate / Yoga
While completely different things, I pair meditation and yoga together as I know it’s something that helps a lot of people out there, but they’re two things I’ve never really gotten into myself. There are SO many YouTube videos out there on both to help you get into it in the intial!
Write Down 10 Reasons Why You’re Amazing
Or 50 or 100… or even 5. Whatever number it needs to be, for once focus on your positives rather than your negatives. And they can be physical traits of skills or personality. For example….
- You have amazing hair!
- You’re patient and kind
- You have a killer arse (thanks squats and lunges!)
- You can bake a ridiculously delicious chocolate fudge cake (Hint: Super Chocolatey Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe)
- You, for the first time in your life, have long, natural nails!
Trust me, it’ll be really hard the first few times, but the more you do it, the more you start to notice!
Move Your Body
It can be a full on work out, yoga, a walk, or just a dance around the kitchen to your favourite song… just get your body moving! It releases endorphins, which in short make you feel good. It’s also good for you. And I love it! My biggest tip to you if you’re trying to move more or start an exercise routine… if you’re thinking ‘how long can I keep this up?’ you’re either going too hard, or doing the wrong type of exercise for you. There are SO many different things out there for you to try, you’ll eventually find something for you (for me it’s dance or hiit style workouts).
Have a Bath or Overly Luxurious Showers
Use that body scrub gathering dust in your cupboard, shave your legs, do a hair mask, just sit/stand there soaking in the water… have a shower or bath for more than just cleaning your body! And then when you get out… give your body a good lathering of body cream! Trust me, not only will you feel boogie af, but it makes the world of difference!
Go Hug Someone
Obviously you can’t just go round hugging anyone and everyone right now, but find someone in your life/lockdown bubble and give them a good hug! Not only does it release the hugging hormone (known as oxytocin), but you can show your love to someone with something physical and it’ll make you both feel like you’re not going through this alone!
Talk….
Anyone who knows me knows that when you get me going I can natter for hours! But I mean talk about something meaningful. Whether it’s with a professional or your best friend, tell them how you are feeling, ask them how they’re feeling. While it may solve absolutely nothing, getting it off your chest will make you feel better and it means you can now go through something together or with the help of someone else. And that can be more valuable than you could ever imagine!
Create A Self Love Playlist
Whether it’s relaxing music, or a collection of girl bosses singing songs about confidence (I’m the latter) create that playlist that helps you get out of whatever funk you’re in and put you in the best mood!
Write it Down
This especially works if you’re not ready to talk to someone about how you feel, and I used to do this a lot when I was a teenager. Write how you’re feeling. Whether you want to turn it into a journal or sorts, or just a one of ramble, sometimes writing it down makes you feel like you’ve got it out your system and off your shoulders without the nerves of having to physically tell someone!
Do Something To Take Your Mind Off Of Things
Sometimes self love is just giving yourself time not to think about things! As someone who’s a serial overthinker, I find I have to find at least an hour to do this every day. Whether it’s by getting lost in a good book, doing something artistic, writing a blog about makeup (oh hey) or playing a board game with your flatmates, sometime it’s nice to just do something for the sake of doing something!
Let me know what your ways of showing self love are down in the comments below! Would love to know!
Katie x
Really great and positive ideas, thanks for sharing!
Aww thanks! Hope they help someone x
Great tips! Money in selflove is totally overrated, you can do it without spending anything! It’s been so long since I had a true bed day haha, I miss it!
I love a good bed day! I haven’t had one in a while either tbh! x
I’m going to bake that chocolate cake! Love all of these tips x
Beautylymin
haha do it! xx
Yes to all of these ideas! Writing down reasons why you’re amazing and moving your body are on my list, a great playlist, a book and I am set! The second look was amazing! Really need to get lessons on how to put make up on! Thank you for sharing xx
Lockdown is the perfect reason to try out makeup! Because no one can see it if it goes wrong! x
Love the idea of creating a self-love playlist and writing down some reasons why im amazing, i do struggle with self-love but we got this!
Do it! The list thing is so hard the first time, but it gets easier! x
Love all the amazing eye looks . The orange ones were my favorite💕
Awww thanks, you’re too kind! x
Great ideas! I particularly like the idea of writing a list of all the things you love about yourself. I’ll be giving that a go!
Good luck! Hopefully you learn lots of new things you love about yourself x
Absolutely stunning ideas! Your chocolate fudge cake is sooo tempting I feel like baking one now. Love this post so much! xx
Haha love a good chocolate cake! I just made a banana bread! x
I love these! You don’t have to spend money to treat yourself. My favorite mood boosters are dressing up and a good playlist!
100%! And yeah, a playlist proper cheers me up! x
I love these free ways to look after yourself. You don’t need to buy bath products and expensive face-masks to show self-love and self-care 🙂 thank you for sharing these recommendations x
Oh 100%, as much as a shopping trip can be good for the soul, you don’t have to! x
Very true, I love a good bit of retail therapy 🙂
I love all of these positive ideas and it’s important to show yourself a little self love once in a while, especially when you’re feeling down! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
100% Hope you’re ok babe xx
I have found that moving is so important and what I needed to do!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
Love a good workout video right now! x
I think the things you summed up here are some great ideas! I personally love to have PJ days or a pampering routine with masks and a nice shower, self tanning, etc. 🙂
xoxo Simone | https://beautymone.com
PJ days are the best! haha x
So many good tips. I must admit, a good PJ day always sorts me right out if I am feeling stressed.
Oh 100%! x
Love these ideas! Thank you for sharing this! Self care is so important and I love the idea of doing it without spending any money. I will definitely be using these ideas in the future for a self care day/night!
Hope you feel all relaxed after x
I love all of these ideas! Self-love is so important and can be easily done without any money – complimenting yourself and feeding yourself are my fave points. It’s so crucial to be your own hype girl and take care of yourself xx
Oh 100% you need to be your biggest supporter! x
This post was filled with joy & happiness 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing! I can’t wait to use these lovely ideas! I love a good pamper & practicing self love! Love Amy at amymarshment.com xx
Awww thank you! xxx
I like the dressing up idea. Not as much as the Jammie day tho. 😊 But the personal playlist always brings me back to life on my way home from work. Great ideas!
Hahah it’s a personal preference thing, but sometimes I just need to put on a really good outfit on to feel top dollar! x
Great ideas! I love chilling in my PJs, it’s so comfy haha. Great post!
OMG me too! x
Love these ideas! I love having both a chill day and a dressed up day, haha. I also really enjoy having a dance around my house to some good music so it’s exercise that doesn’t feel like it!
Tash – A Girl with a View
Dancing is just good for the soul too! x
I adore this post some fabulous ideas Xx
Just trying to share some positive vibes! xx
These are a great start, then you can always build on from there.
100%! xx
an important realisation here Katie
Oh for sure! x