7 Self-Love Practices You Can Try Today
Written by Sian McKenzie, The Soulshine Therapist
Sian McKenzie is the founder of The Soulshine Therapist, a healing business, where she integrates her wealth of psychological and spiritual knowledge to guide clients on a journey towards inner peace, self-discovery and profound personal growth.
Self-love is talked about so much, yet knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. In this article, I am sharing seven simple self-love practices you can start today.
1. Get real with how you feel
Self-love begins with honesty, acknowledging your emotions so you can care for your needs. Too often, when someone asks how we are, we respond with “fine,” “good,” or “okay” on autopilot. Many of us have learned to downplay our true feelings, often to avoid making others uncomfortable.
Checking in with yourself and identifying how you truly feel is a simple yet powerful act of self-care. For example:
If you recognise that you are feeling grumpy, you might reach out to a friend who uplifts you.
If you are feeling stressed, you could choose to do something that relaxes you.
If you are unsure of your emotions, using a feelings wheel can help you identify them more clearly.
2. Recognise the adversity you have overcome
Reflecting on past challenges can be a profound way to cultivate self-love. Take a moment to think about a difficult time you have overcome, perhaps an unhealthy relationship, a period of anxiety, or a job loss. Choose something that feels safe to reflect on, and journal on these questions:
What strengths helped me get through that time?
How do I feel about myself knowing I made it through?
What did I learn about myself, others, or life because of that experience?
If I could meet that version of myself now, what would I say to them?
As you write, let yourself sink into feelings of self-love. You have shown resilience, strength, and growth to be where you are today.
3. Befriend your inner critic
How many times have you thought of self-love as selfish or self-centred? Many of us have an inner voice that is highly critical, saying things like, “Who do you think you are?” or “You are being so big-headed.” This voice can keep us stuck, fearful, and small.
Instead of resisting it, try befriending your inner critic. Here are some steps you can take:
Give her a name and see her as a part of you, not all of you.
Separate her from your core self and start a conversation.
Ask her why she is being so harsh. Chances are, she is trying to protect you from failure or rejection.
Reassure her: “I hear you, but I believe it is okay to love myself.”
Over time, you will notice her softening. By showing yourself compassion instead of self-judgment, you make space for deeper self-love.
4. Mirror work
Mirror work is a powerful practice for fostering self-acceptance and feelings of self-love.
Try this exercise:
Find a quiet, comfortable space and set a 10-minute timer.
Spend the first five minutes simply looking at yourself in a mirror. Observe your facial features, your body, and the emotions that arise.
Then, for the next five minutes, journal everything that came up—your thoughts, feelings, and reactions.
When you read it back, notice:
Were your thoughts kind and loving, or critical and harsh?
How do you speak to yourself compared to how you would speak to a loved one?
Repeat this practice regularly, replacing self-criticism with gentler, more loving affirmations. With time, your reflection will become a source of love, not judgment.
You can find 99 self-love affirmations for inspiration here.
5. Write a love letter to your inner child
Find a childhood or teenage photo of yourself. Spend a few moments looking at it. What thoughts and emotions come up?
Now, write a love letter to that younger version of you. You might:
Tell them how proud you are of them.
Reassure them of how loved and worthy they are.
Acknowledge their struggles and remind them of their strength.
This practice is a beautiful way to nurture self-love. By honouring your inner child, you deepen compassion for yourself in the present.
6. Know your values
Do you know what truly matters to you? Understanding your core values helps you live in alignment with yourself, which is one of the greatest acts of self-love.
How to discover your values:
Read through Brené Brown’s amazing list of values and write down any that resonate.
Narrow it down to your top three.
Reflect: Are your choices, relationships, and daily life aligned with these values?
For example, if you value community but your job makes you feel isolated, taking steps to change environments could be an act of self-love. When you honour your values, you honour yourself.
7. Ask for feedback
We rarely ask others what they love about us, but why not? Seeing ourselves through the eyes of someone who cares about us can be incredibly affirming.
Try this: ask someone you love and trust: “What do you love about me?”
Then, simply listen. Let their words sink in. Accept their perspective without deflecting or minimising.
Often, we struggle to see our own light, but this exercise helps us recognise what others see in us. Over time, we can learn to embrace it.
Final thoughts
Self-love isn’t a destination; it’s a practice. The more you intentionally nurture it, the stronger it grows. Choose one of these exercises and try it today. You deserve your own love and care.
Ready to deepen your self-love journey? If you’re looking for personalised support to cultivate more self-love, confidence, and empowerment, I’d love to help! As a counsellor, spiritual coach, and holistic therapist, I offer 1:1 healing sessions designed to help you reconnect with yourself and step into your power.
Get in touch to book a free discovery call to explore how we can work together.
You deserve to feel worthy, loved, and empowered. Let’s take that next step together!
Read more from Sian McKenzie
Sian McKenzie, The Soulshine Therapist
Sian McKenzie is a rising voice within the mental health space. Founder of The Soulshine Therapist, she is a soulful practitioner offering a unique blend of counselling, spiritual coaching, tarot therapy, Angelic Reiki healing, and meditation healing. Her intention is to attend to all of her client's needs: mind, body and spirit. Sian dedicates herself to creating a spiritually inclusive space where psychology and spirituality can marry to support clients in their wholeness. She truly believes no client should have to leave their spirituality at the door, which is often the case in conventional counselling, nor should their emotions be inadequately supported, which is often the case with conventional healing therapies.
