Let Me Count 14 Ways…
Love is in the air. But we often forget the importance of loving ourselves and engaging in self-care. Self-care is important for individuals across all demographics. But, members of the LGBTQ+ community may face unique challenges related to our identities, and practicing self-care becomes especially crucial.
By taking a holistic approach to loving ourselves, we can improve our overall well-being, build resilience, create safe spaces, celebrate diversity, and cope with discrimination and minority stress. Through self-care, we as individuals can also develop healthier relationships and better serve our communities.
Maybe you already have self-care practices but need a little reminder to make them a more integral part of your routine. Here are 14 ideas to help you on your life-long journey towards self-love.
No. 1 ❤ Get Creative. Explore creative outlets such as writing, art, music, or dance to express your feelings and celebrate your uniqueness. You don’t have to change the world with your art. But developing an artistic practice can change your world. Even singing in the shower or taking photos with your cell phone can help you disconnect and de-stress.
No. 2 ❤ Get Moving. We all know that exercise has positive effects on both physical and mental health. But, let’s be honest, many of us need extra encouragement to get moving every now and then! Once we start, we’re quickly reminded how good it makes us feel. Pick physical activities you enjoy so that you can make doing them regular habits.
No. 3 ❤ Be Mindful. Practice mindfulness and meditation to center yourself, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness. Once you develop practices that work for you, you can learn to be more mindful in all aspects of life. Don’t know where to start? There’s an app for that!
No. 4 ❤ Celebrate Achievements. Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, both big and small. Reflect on your progress and give yourself credit for your accomplishments. Not everyone sees all our successes—and they certainly won’t celebrate them all when we need it the most.
No. 5 ❤ Learn Something. You’re never too old to learn something new. Take that class you’ve always wanted to do. Study a new language. Skill share. Knowledge empowers individuals and fosters a sense of pride and identity.
No. 6 ❤ Establish Boundaries. Set healthy boundaries in relationships, both personal and professional. This helps protect your well-being, ensures you are treated with respect, and can be your best self. In some cases, it can also help you make sure you’re compensated fairly!
No. 7 ❤ Set Goals. Take time for self-reflection to understand your values, aspirations, and personal growth. Then, set goals and determine what steps you need to take to reach them. Even a simple list in your cell phone notes can help you achieve your dreams.
No. 8 ❤ Say Affirmations. Practice positive affirmations to build self-confidence and self-esteem. Remind yourself of your worth and capabilities, especially during moments of doubt, anxiety, and fear. Even simple affirmations like, “I’m doing my best” or “You’re worth it,” can be transformative.
No. 9 ❤ Unplug and Recharge.
Constant exposure to online content can sometimes be overwhelming. We all need to take breaks from social media to disconnect and recharge. When we’re “chronically online,” we also have a tendency to curate our experiences in real life, focusing on how we’ll represent them on social media. Turn off your devices and live in the moment.
No. 10 ❤ Connect with Community. We’re all different; we all have different needs. But it’s important to connect on some level with people who share similar experiences. Participating in community can include attending in-person events, joining online groups, supporting LGBTQ+ owned businesses, staying connected to LGBTQ+ media, or even one-to-one personal relationships.
No. 11 ❤ Seek Support. No one is perfect. If you feel like you need any kind of mental, physical, or spiritual guidance—go for it! If possible, seek assistance from folks or support groups that are LGBTQ+ affirming so that you can discuss your experiences in a safe and non-judgmental environment. If you have barriers to receiving support you need, let someone you trust know, so that you can seek out resources together.
No. 12 ❤ Give Back. We should never need an excuse to give back to our communities. By giving back selflessly, we can simultaneously step outside of ourselves and return to ourselves. Even the smallest actions, like helping a neighbor in need, will make the world a little bit better.
No. 13 ❤ Pamper Yourself. Treat yourself to activities that bring joy, relaxation, and pleasure. This could include a spa day, a favorite meal, or a movie night. Of course, everything in moderation. If you “treat yourself” too much, you can easily become indulgent, or even addicted to things or behaviors that you see as small rewards in life.
No. 14 ❤ Advocate for Yourself. You are the only one who will be with you throughout your entire journey in life, from the moment you enter this world until the moment you leave. That means that you are your own best advocate. Stand up for your rights and advocate for yourself in all aspects of life. Feeling empowered and having agency is crucial for self-love. ▼
Stephen Raskauskas is a Sussex County native who has produced content for radio, TV, digital, and print.