Self love became a very popular trend in 2018 – by why does it need to be a trend for us to take loving ourselves seriously? We have to go in 2019 with a plan on how to make ourselves feel better about ourselves – and it starts with YOU! You’ve heard all about self care and self love, and the idea is not going anywhere – but how can you manage this in your daily life? This term has been thrown around a lot lately – but what does it really mean? As the beloved Ru Paul says – ‘If you can’t love yourself, how the helllll you ganna you love anyone else?!’

2018 taught us SO much and we have been thinking about how to share these experiences with you so we’ve put together our Top 5 ways to love yourself together – and let this help you make a change in your life. Because, babe, it’s the only life you’ve got.

1. #SelfCareSundays Are The Weekly Needed ‘Me Time’ You Deserve!

This is so important – so listen to us carefully – Pick a day weekly that you dedicate 1 – 2 hours of blissful pampering to yourself. Uninterrupted, shameless, blissful pampering. This isn’t for going to the salon, getting waxed or getting your nails done – this is you, spending time with you and you alone.

Our choice is Sunday – because it’s easiest to slot in 1 – 2 hours of ‘me time’ in here in the evening. Does this mean slapping a facemask on and soaking in a hot bath with a bath bomb while listening to classical music and sipping champagne? Or is it 2 hours locked away with your series on in the background and you painting your nails all colours of the rainbow & doing a full facial on yourself with a hundred products you’ve been wanting to try out? We don’t know. You tell us what is your idea of a heavenly break.

2. Healthy Mind, Healthy Body = Happy Life

Positivity towards your body. Exercise. Diet. Water (LOTS of water!) Those are your focus points for making sure you’re living your best life. Spend time on them, spend time on yourself. They say you are what you eat – and you need to believe that! There’s that famous saying as well (that grinds our gears but it’s really true!) that you need to treat your body like a temple – it’s the only one you’ve got!

We also read something AWESOME recently, and not sure where we saw this so please comment below if you know who to credit but – every morning when you have finished brushing your teeth, spend a minute smiling at yourself in the mirror – don’t look for flaws, but rather love the good things! And keep those positive thoughts in your mind all day.

3. Listen to your body

This one is pretty simple! Your body is telling you want it needs – so listen up!

If you are wanting a treat, have the treat! If you suppress that dying need for that delicious snack, and try and compensate – all your body is going to do is want it more! If you’re tired, have a break! If you need to cancel that one plan – so it! You get what we’re saying, right?

4. Set a task list and work to complete it!

This is something we have battled with for ages – and this year, we realized how important this is. Not just for task completion, but for the sense of satisfaction and that feeling of being proud of yourself for ticking off the tasks as you work down your list.

Add some ‘easy’ ones on there too – like making your bed in the morning and drinking your 2l of water a day. It’s always good to vary your tasks so you have a variety of things to get done in a day or a week.

5. Make (Quality) Time for Friends & Family

But also, but don’t be scared to cut a bitch out if they are too much hassle.

Simply put – do they add value to your life? Yes..? Then they can stay. If not – BYE Felicia!

The very most important thing you can do for yourself is show yourself the same amount of love and care as you do everyone around you – there’s no harm in putting yourself first sometimes.

Let’s wrap this year up and head towards a magical December, and start 2019 off by loving ourselves more than ever.

Looking to get in contact with us? Pop us an email at jenna@thesocialneedia.co.za or find us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Love yourself, and Stay Golden x