Practical Exercises for Self Love to Start Now
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What is self-love, and how can we actively practice it?
Self-love is knowing your authentic self, recognizing your worth, and understanding that your needs, desires, and well-being matter. It means realizing that your life has value and purpose. When you embrace self-love, you no longer seek affirmation or validation from others to feel secure in who you are. Instead, you acknowledge your God-given greatness and become intentional about affirming yourself.
Why Should I Exercise Self-Love?
1. God Commands It
The Bible says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31 NKJV). The Message translation expands on this: “Love others as well as you love yourself.”
Often, we focus on the command to love others while overlooking the second part—as you love yourself. If you don’t truly love yourself, you can’t love others to the fullness God desires. Learning to see yourself as He sees you allows you to extend that same love to those around you.
2. It Transforms Your Perspective
When you practice self-love, you begin to see yourself through God’s lens rather than the world’s expectations. You realize that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and gain freedom in embracing your authentic self. Self-love reminds you of your identity in Christ, regardless of what others may say.
3. It Helps You Embrace Your Strengths
Instead of focusing on flaws, self-love shifts your attention to your strengths, gifts, and unique qualities. Rather than criticizing yourself, you begin to appreciate how you are uniquely designed by God. This mindset shift helps you operate with confidence in your purpose.
4. It Improves Your Mental and Emotional Health
Loving yourself leads to a healthier mindset. When you value yourself, you replace negative thoughts with positive truths. Studies have shown that a positive outlook contributes to longevity and overall well-being. Additionally, self-love empowers you to set boundaries with toxic relationships, protecting your mental and emotional health.
5. It Strengthens Your Relationships
Unhappiness with yourself often leads to difficulty in celebrating others. You may have heard the phrase, “Hurt people hurt people.” A negative inner dialogue can cause you to project insecurities onto those around you. However, a person who is whole in Christ operates from a place of love, treating others with kindness and grace.
Exercises for Self-Love
Now that we’ve explored why self-love matters, it’s time to put it into practice. Start with these exercises for self love to reinforce the truth of who you are.
1. “I Love” Statements
Grab a notebook and write out three sentence starters:
- I love my ___.
- I love that I ___.
- I love how ___.
Using your list of strengths, gifts, and personality traits, complete these statements with qualities you admire about yourself. Then, read them out loud slowly, letting the words sink in. Repeat each statement at least three times. For a deeper impact, try saying them in front of a mirror.
2. “I Am” Poster
For this creative exercise, gather a poster board, canvas, or large sheet of paper along with markers, paints, or magazine cutouts.
- Write “I AM” at the top or center of your poster.
- Fill the space with words that describe your strengths, talents, and positive traits. You can organize them into categories (personality, strengths, gifts) or place them randomly in a way that resonates with you.
- Display your finished poster somewhere visible as a daily reminder of who you are.
3. Words of Affirmation
Transform your strengths into “I AM” statements. Write each affirmation on index cards or a journal page. Examples include:
- I am strong.
- I am creative.
- I am worthy of love and respect.
Read through these affirmations daily, speaking them over yourself with conviction. You can rotate them, focusing on a new one each day or week.
4. Make Self-Love a Habit
The key to lasting transformation is consistency. Choose one self-love exercise to practice daily. Over time, these affirmations and habits will become second nature, reinforcing the truth of who you are in Christ. The more you practice, the more you will believe—and ultimately, the more you will live out the confidence and joy that comes with true self-love.
By implementing these exercises, you are taking intentional steps toward seeing yourself through God’s lens. Self-love isn’t about arrogance or perfection—it’s about embracing the truth of who you are in Him. Start today, and let His love shape your view of yourself.
Ready to start seeing yourself through God’s lens instead of your own?
If you’ve ever struggled with negative thoughts about yourself, doubted your worth, or felt like you’ll never measure up, it’s time for a mindset shift. You Don’t Actually Suck is a workbook designed to help you break free from self-criticism and embrace the truth of who God says you are.
Through guided exercises, biblical insights, and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to replace self-doubt with confidence, silence lies with truth, and walk in the identity God has given you.
Don’t let negative thoughts define you any longer. Grab your copy of You Don’t Actually Suck today and start seeing yourself the way God does!
