In this blog post, we'll talk about the difference between self love and self care and where they connect. As you read posts on social media and consume content that you feel will help you on your healing journey, you will most likely come across these terms. Self love and self care are essential, foundational concepts for any healing journey. Most often, as we learn how to heal the inner parts of us, we will revisit these topics again and again and again. It goes worth saying here that its normal to struggle with self love and self care as you go through the phases of inner healing and even after your healing journey as well.
So what's the difference?
Self Love
Self love is your perception of yourself and the way you treat yourself. It's how kind you are to yourself, how compassionate you are, and whether you believe you deserve good things. Loving yourself is not about liking your appearance per se. It's about a deeper inner relationship between the surface level aspects of you and the parts of yourself you keep hidden; the more vulnerable, wounded parts of you.
It's important to note here that a self love journey can last a lifetime and that's okay and that's normal. You might go through phases of feeling a strong sense of self love and phases of not feeling this way and that's okay. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you. Self love is a journey and takes active effort sometimes, and sometimes not!! But the more you take care of yourself, speak kindly to yourself, and work on valuing yourself even if no one else does, the closer you will eventually feel to yourself and being able to say you love yourself might become a lot easier!!
Check out the freebie below with some journal prompts to help you out on your self love journey!
Self Care
Self care is a term used to describe activities you can do that make you feel good, make you feel more connected to yourself, or help you feel inner peace. Self care looks different for everyone. It's basically any activity that helps you to relax and wind down, find grounding, calm, and centre yourself.
Here's a list of some examples:
Keep in mind it's okay if some of these don't work for you. Everyone needs something different from their self care routines.
Playing loud music
Having a shower or a bath
Lighting candles
Cleaning up your space
Decorating your bedroom
Making your favourite meal
Waking up early to have more time to yourself before you start your day
Writing in a journal
Expanding your mind with reading, podcasts, etc.
Connecting with a good friend
Reading a fiction book
Watching your favourite TV show
Going for a run
Going for a walk
Going on a nature hike
Spending time in nature, laying on a blanket in the grass
Time to do nothing
Playing with your pets
Listening to sad songs
Singing
Dancing fast
Dancing slow
Painting
Colouring
Drawing
Anything creative
Cleanse your space with sage
Hold a crystal
Do an oracle or tarot reading
Do a light workout
Yoga session
Cry
Schedule a therapy session
Try Shadow Work
Drink tea
Start a bedtime routine
Start a morning routine
Plan something fun
Go to a cafe
Go to a book store
Order food from your favourite restaurant and curl up with a good movie
Write or say affirmations
Do a guided meditation
Do some breathing exercises
Listen to binaural beats
Watch/listen to something motivational
Buy yourself something nice
Get a manicure
Sit in the sun
Watch the sunrise or sunset
Go to your favourite place
Go for a drive and listen to music
Wash your bedsheets
Dress up and go out (or stay home!)
Cleanse your chakras
Make a playlist
Walk barefoot in the grass
Try a new recipe
Take some vitamins
Start a bullet journal
Have a nap!
Bake brownies
Use essential oils
Open the window and blinds
Write a letter to yourself
Do something your inner child would love (like chalk, blow bubbles, roll down a hill, go to the park and go on the swings)
Watch funny videos
Make a vision board
Pray
Try EFT tapping
Go to the pet store
Water your plants
Put on moisturizer
Comment if there's anything you would add to this list!!
Save this picture for later for inspiration!
The BEST form of Self Care
The best form of self care is the one that is MOST effective for you. If some of this activities don't interest you that's okay!! There's no right or wrong way to take care of yourself. Your self care routine could be anything that makes you feel free, loved, uplifted, calm, grounded, centered, or just overall better. This is YOUR self care so YOU make the rules.
A great way to figure out if an activity is effective for you is to ask yourself if it takes care of each of the four aspects of your well-being.
Is it healthy for you
mentally
emotionally
physically
spiritually
Or does it only cover two of these important pillars?
A self care activity might help you mentally and emotionally, but not on a physical or spiritual level. Its best to pick at least two activities so that you can take care of your whole well-being.
For example:
Walking helps me physically and mentally
But writing affirmations helps me emotionally and spiritually
The Key to a Healthy Inner Relationship
All relationships take work, effort, and consistency. You might find you go through phases where it takes more effort to care for and form love within yourself. You might need more self care or a different type of self care depending on what you're going through. This is why its so important to be in tune with and understand what we need on an emotional level. This is where a writing practice comes in.
The key to any healthy relationship is healthy communication. Writing is a chance to talk to yourself, be open and honest about what is going on within you so that you can take the next steps to giving yourself what you need.
The most effective self care activity is a writing practice.
Writing practice is a form of journaling that helps you spend time with your thoughts, process your emotions, and develop a deeper relationship with your inner world.
Curious to learn more?
Download our free guide to get started:
Bottom Line
Self love is a broader term for the way we treat ourselves and self care are acts of showing love towards ourselves. A healthy inner relationship needs both.
When we love and value ourselves, it's easier to take care of ourselves. And when we take care of ourselves, it's easier to love and to feel loved by ourselves.
Journal Prompts
What does self love mean to you?
What's your favourite way to take care of yourself?
What do you believe about self love that may not be true?
What do you believe about self care that may not be true?
Have you noticed any changes in what you need from your self care routine?
What do you tell yourself when loving yourself feels hard?
Leave a comment below if you'd like to share anything about your experiences with self love and self care!
