I don’t know about you but sometimes (especially during the New Year time frame) I can feel like I maybe could have done more in the last year.  Maybe it’s the Enneagram 3 in me, but when I look back over the year, all I see is opportunities where maybe I didn’t rise to the occasion or maybe I missed an opportunity to really turn up the heat professionally.

Which is bananas.

Because when I’m honest with myself and truly take a step back and look at the year–I actually accomplished quite a bit.  Kept myself and my family happy, thriving, safe and secure? Check.  Made big moves at work?  Check.  Increased views and engagement on the blog?  Check.  Advocated for my daughter’s disability?  Check.

Prioritized my own self care?

Whoops.

So maybe I do have some opportunity to take better care of myself in the new year.  Maybe 2025 is the year that I make taking care of myself the focus?  And if you’re like me and want to focus on small tangible things you can do to increase your “self-love” read on:

What is self love?

Self-love means that you have an appreciation, affinity, and positive regard for yourself. It’s closely related to self-esteem and self-compassion. When you have a strong sense of self-love, you understand your own value and treat yourself in a loving way.

Unlike narcissism, which is excessive self-absorption and self-interest, self-love is a positive trait. Loving yourself means having a good understanding of both your strengths and weaknesses. High self-love has a positive effect on your well-being, mental fitness, and your relationships.

Self-love is critical to our overall well-being. And despite what the perfectionists think, loving yourself doesn’t mean that you don’t hold yourself to a high standard. Without feeling positively towards ourselves, we may find it hard to be motivated. Self-love is important in order to take action, take chances, and take on new opportunities.

For every day in January, I’m challenging you to try journal prompts and activities focusing on getting to know yourself, wooing yourself, caring for yourself, and prioritizing yourself. If we all follow the challenge, come February (the month of love) we will all have a completely different perspective on self love.  Let’s focus on the most important relationship we have–the one with ourselves!

Week 1

1. Make a list of five things that always make you happy and put it on your mirror, desk, or fridge where you’ll see it often.  We call this a Joy List
2. Buy yourself flowers
3. Revisit a childhood hobby you loved but haven’t done in years
4. Go for a walk on your lunch break
5. Make a playlist of all your favorite songs
6. Unplug for three hours
7. Journal prompt: Get to know yourself. Take some time to think about what you believe in, value, and like. Make a list of your strengths (particularly the ones that tend to go unnoticed).

Week 2

8. Say “no” when you want to say no
9. Try a new food for dinner.  Bonus points if you make it yourself.
10. Splurge on an item you’ve been wanting
11. Take yourself on a date or set the table with the fancy dishes and glassware
12. Do something that would make you proud of yourself: perform a random act of kindness, spend the day getting ahead in your career goals, or do the workout you promised yourself that you would do
13. Send a thank you note to someone that made an impact on you this week
14. Journal prompt: Look at a picture of yourself as a baby or young child. How would you talk differently to yourself if you were talking to her? What do you want to tell her?

Week 3

15. Identify your love language and then do one thing to show yourself love in that language
16. Make a promise to yourself and then keep it (work out before work, unplug from social media, take an actual lunch break, cut off work at 5 p.m., etc.)
17. Unfollow or mute every account that doesn’t make you feel inspired, encouraged, or good about yourself
18. Sit in child’s pose for a minute whenever you’re stressed
19. Dress up in your favorite outfit and put on your favorite lipstick
20. Listen to classical music
21. Journal prompt: Write down past mistakes you’re still holding on to. Reflect on how you’ve changed since those past mistakes or embarrassing moments. Realize how even the worst moments have made you stronger, kinder, and better, and then forgive yourself.

Week 4

22. Say “thank you” instead of “I’m sorry”
23. Read “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay
24. Write a list of the things you love most about yourself
25. Start a gratitude practice
26. Treat yourself to a little treat on your way home from work
27. Try a workout class you’ve never done before
28. Journal prompt: How can you become more “you?” Self-love happens when our actions align with who we really are. Make a list of your qualities, likes, traits, strengths, and passions. Then, write down how you can become more of each thing. Also, get rid of the activities or traits that don’t feel true to you and fill up the empty space with more you-ness. Every work goal, wellness intention, and daily schedule should support becoming more of who you really are.

Please leave this field empty

want more joy in your inbox?

Subscribe to receive our monthly emails!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.