How Do You Love Yourself?
- Jennifer Rowe
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
By Jennifer L. Rowe, LCSW
Journey Life Balance | www.journeylifebalance.com
Self-love gets talked about a lot in February — but for many people, the concept feels vague, unrealistic, or reserved for people who seem to “have their lives together.”
But self-love isn’t a grand gesture. It isn’t a perfect morning routine or a dramatic life overhaul.
It’s not even about liking yourself every minute of the day.
Self-love is how you treat yourself in the moments no one else sees.
It’s the small choices you make that whisper, “I matter too.”
💗 What Self-Love Actually Looks Like
You don’t need a perfect routine or a complete reinvention.
Here are gentle, reachable examples I encourage clients to start with:
✨ Reading a few pages before bed
✨ Drinking a bottle of water
✨ Eating lunch away from your work area
✨ Taking a short walk
✨ Listening to music that soothes you
✨ Calling a friend just to hear their voice
✨ Allowing yourself to rest instead of pushing harder
✨ Giving yourself permission to say “no”
These small acts aren’t insignificant — they are foundational.
They are how you rebuild trust in yourself.
💗 Why Small Steps Work
Small steps are sustainable.
Small steps reduce overwhelm.
Small steps accumulate into genuine change.
You don’t have to:
✖ heal everything today
✖ feel confident 24/7
✖ have the perfect mindset
✖ “love yourself” in a loud or Instagrammable way
You just have to choose one thing each day that feels like care, not punishment.
💗 A Simple Reflection for February
Ask yourself:
“How can I treat myself with a little more kindness today than I did yesterday?”
That’s it.
That is self-love.
The compassionate, real-life version of it.
💗 Gratitude
I am grateful to Cynthia Erivo for her vulnerability and to her therapist for offering language that resonates with so many people navigating the journey toward self-compassion.
Watch the clip here:
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