22 Beautiful Self-Love Rituals To Appreciate And Care For Yourself

Last Updated on July 12, 2024

Self-love and self-care have become things we hear about often and with good reason.  

Stress is a major concern in society today. Taking care of ourselves is essential to dealing with the pressures of our lives.

In the not too distant past, the idea of spending time on ourselves beyond the basic bathing and brushing of teeth was considered self-indulgent and a waste of time.

Moreover, it was believed that a humble and modest person would not devote time and money to the enjoyment of fancy self-care rituals.

Such rituals would be regarded as frivolous, and for those with a Christian belief, time was better spent helping others rather than ourselves.

The protestant work ethic claimed that through honest, hard work we would develop our souls and strengthen our relationship with God.

I grew up, as many of us did, with this mentality and so I approached the whole concept of self-love and self-care with some dismissiveness.

Gradually, I have come to see the value and even necessity of actively pursuing self-love and self-care. 

Going through a divorce, rearing five children, and dealing with the pressures of a high-stress job brought me to a point, more than once, when I felt completely depleted and questioned how much longer I could do all of this.

I now embrace self-care and self-love. I view it not as selfish and frivolous, but necessary and beneficial to everyone around me.

When we love ourselves and look after ourselves, we are able to give our best selves to everyone and everything in our lives.

Join me now as I look at some of the rituals included in the list for this article. 

I know it will spur you on to carve out time to make yourself a priority on a regular basis and begin enjoying the improvement in your life you will experience.

Nurture/ Nourish Time

What does it mean to love ourselves? Nurturing and nourishing are essential parts of this.

When we nurture and nourish ourselves, we provide ourselves with those things we need to grow and flourish.

This doesn’t include just eating properly, but also getting what we need to be spiritually healthy and mentally healthy.

Mental health now shares a prominent place among medical concerns. Not too many decades ago, a person never heard about mental health.

That doesn’t mean that people didn’t suffer from mental health issues; they did. 

There just wasn’t the knowledge or the resources available to help people who were dealing with mental health issues.

Nurturing our mental health is just as important as eating properly and exercising. In fact, there is a direct tie between these parts of ourselves.

We know that regular exercise and healthy eating habits contribute to a healthy mental state.

Making time to nurture and nourish ourselves is something we all need to do. Take a look at your schedule and change things up to start fitting in some ‘me time.’ You’ll never look back.

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Clean Out Your Closet

Okay, I have to confess that I am not the tidiest person in the world. Next to my sister who is an extreme Type A person, I look pretty relaxed about sorting, tidying, and cleaning.

Yet, I have to admit that there is something very satisfying about sorting through the junk drawer and getting rid of all the stuff that doesn’t need to be there.

Spring and autumn are traditionally the times of the year when house-cleaning jobs get done. 

My mother and my grandmother religiously did major house cleaning twice a year. It was considered a necessity.

House cleaning jobs are different from the typical weekly (maybe not so weekly?) cleaning jobs.

Regular cleaning includes dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning the bathrooms.

House cleaning includes things like pulling out the couch from the wall to give a good vacuum to that part of the floor, and moving the fridge and stove and scrubbing the floor in those areas.

This just touches the surface.

The fact is, our lives are way too busy to afford us the time to house clean twice per year.

Today, people do these bigger kinds of jobs when it appears necessary to them to do so. 

There’s no hard and fast rule requiring us to do these jobs on a schedule anymore, or even to do them at all.

All this aside, cleaning something, like the closet in your bedroom for example, can give you a feeling of accomplishment.

When we clean our closet, we sort through things. Clothes and shoes we haven’t worn in a few years can be donated to a charity, and a better, more efficient way of storing things can be adopted.

When everything is sorted, and the closet has been thoroughly cleaned, you’ll want to return to it to look at the neat, clean, and tidy space again and again.

It makes us feel good!

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Food Self-Love Rituals

Food plays an important part in our lives. It gives us energy to do what we need to in our day, it brings people together at special times like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it is one of the great pleasures of life – it’s yummy!

In our very demanding lives, however, food is not celebrated as it should be.

We often grab food from a fast-food restaurant on the way home from work so we can get our kids to their activities.

In many households, people eat at different times to accommodate their particular schedules.

It seems that gone are the days when a family came together and ate at a common table. Sitting on the living room couch in front of the television is frequently where people eat these days.

It doesn’t need to be this way. Spend some time thinking about your relationship with food and the rituals you have in your home around meals.

You might want to incorporate some time to devote to cooking or baking. Put on some music, tie on an apron, and explore the feel, the look, and the smell of food.

I enjoy baking and I love to carve out some time on a Sunday to make a pie, cookies, or a cake. 

Explore food rituals that breathe life into your mind and soul, and enjoy.

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22 Self-Love Rituals

1. “Food self-love rituals”

2. “Try Meditation”

3. “Say ‘I love you’ Everyday”

4. “Build a precious community.”

5. “Relaxing or pamper time”

6. “Allow some joy time”

7. “Study self-love Affirmations”

8. “Spare some Pet time”

9. “Gratitude time – for yourself”

10. “Cook yourself a favorite meal”

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11. “Do something you’re good at.”

12. “Find your happy place.”

13. “Know that your body is a loving vessel.”

14. “Build your letting-go muscle.”

15. “Make a “What’s Working for Me” list.”

16. “Nurture / nourish time”

17. “Reward yourself to comprehend your feelings”

“Reward yourself to comprehend your feelings”

18. “Don’t compare yourself to others on social media.”

19. “Clean out your closet.”

20. “Spend some laugh time”

21. “Explore your spirituality.”

22. “Take Coffee, tea, or smoothie break”

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Self-Love Rituals Benefit Mental Health?

Self-love rituals benefit mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and feelings of self-doubt, while promoting feelings of self-worth, confidence, and resilience. Engaging in self-care practices can also improve mood, increase self-awareness, and enhance emotional well-being.

When Should I Practice Self-Love Rituals?

You can practice self-love rituals at any time that feels right for you. Some people prefer to start their day with self-care practices to set a positive tone, while others may incorporate rituals into their evening routine to unwind and relax before bed.

How Can I Create A Self-Love Ritual Routine?

To create a self-love ritual routine, start by identifying activities that resonate with you and bring you joy and fulfillment. Schedule time for these practices regularly, whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly, and prioritize self-care as an essential part of your routine.

How Do Self-Love Rituals Contribute To Personal Growth?

Self-love rituals contribute to personal growth by promoting self-awareness, resilience, and emotional healing. By prioritizing self-care and self-compassion, individuals can overcome self-limiting beliefs, embrace their authenticity, and step into their fullest potential.

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Dr. Emily Harris
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