15+ Quick and Easy Self-Love Rituals to Do by Yourself
Take care of yourself with these 15+ quick and easy self-love rituals you can do on your own, by yourself, in the comfort of your own home. Bring back some magic to your life and boost your well-being today!
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Self-love rituals to do by yourself
Let me tell you a story.
Once upon a time, there was a woman who was always busy taking care of everyone else. She was a mother, a full-time employee, an entrepreneur, and a volunteer. She rarely took time for herself and always put her own needs last. As a result, she began to struggle with self-doubt and compassion fatigue; she tried to help everyone but herself and didn’t say no. As a result, she felt exhausted, stressed, and overwhelmed.
Every day, it got harder to breathe.
One day, her friend suggested that she try a self-love ritual as a way to take better care of herself. Our heroine was skeptical at first but decided to give it a try. She started by setting aside just 15 minutes a day for herself.
At first, she found it hard to make time for herself and felt guilty every time she did it – why was she taking time away from her family and work? She doesn’t have time! But as she continued with her self-love ritual, she started to notice some changes. She felt more relaxed, less stressed, and more in tune with her needs. She started to appreciate herself more and began to let go of negative self-talk. She felt happier, more fulfilled, and more at peace with herself. And she knew that her self-love ritual was a big part of that transformation.
The end.
Want to get the same results? Let’s take a look at what self-love rituals are, why you need them, and what you can do when you’re pressed for time.
What is a self-love ritual?
A self-love ritual is a dedicated and intentional practice designed to help you cultivate feelings of self-love, self-compassion, and self-care. It is a way to prioritize your well-being and make time for yourself, especially during times of stress, anxiety, or self-doubt.
Self-love rituals can take many forms, but they typically involve activities that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and self-care. Some common self-love rituals include meditation, journaling, taking a bath or shower, practicing yoga or other forms of exercise, reading a book, or spending time in nature.
The key to a self-love ritual is to set aside time to focus on yourself and your well-being, create a safe, supportive, and nurturing space, and prioritize your well-being and self-love. It is a time to be gentle with yourself, let go of negative self-talk, and nurture your mind, body, and spirit.
How often should I schedule my self-love ritual?
How often you schedule your self-love ritual depends on your personal preferences and schedule. The most important thing is to prioritize your well-being and make time for yourself on a regular basis.
Some people find that a daily self-love ritual works best for them, allowing them to start each day with a sense of calm and clarity. Others prefer a weekly practice that they can look forward to as a way to recharge and reset for the week ahead.
Remember that self-love rituals don’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. Even just taking a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or positive affirmations can be incredibly beneficial for your mental health and well-being.
Ultimately, the frequency and duration of your self-love ritual should be based on what feels right for you. It’s okay to experiment and try different things until you find a routine that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Just remember to be gentle with yourself and to prioritize your own self-care and well-being.
Why are self-love rituals so powerful?
Self-love rituals may seem simple, but because they provide you with dedicated time and space to focus on nurturing and caring for yourself, they can be powerful and transformative. By intentionally setting aside time for self-love, you get to prioritize your own needs and well-being, which can positively impact your mental, emotional, and physical health.
A self-love ritual can also help to shift your mindset and perspective, encouraging you to see yourself in a more positive light and embrace your unique strengths and qualities. This can improve your self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall sense of worth.
Finally, they can be a source of comfort and support during times of stress or difficulty, helping you feel more grounded, centered, and connected to yourself, which can be especially important during challenging times.
Do I have to do a self-love ritual depending on the phases of the moon?
No, you don’t have to do a self-love ritual depending on the phases of the moon. You can choose to incorporate moon phases into your self-love rituals if it resonates with you, but it’s not a requirement. As with all things about self-love, the most important thing is to listen to your own needs and do what feels right for you.
What ritual tools can I use for my self-love ritual?
There are many tools and props that you can use to enhance your self-love ritual. Here are a few ideas:
1. Candles: Candles are practically a staple for any ritual involving self-care and well-being – and with good reason. They’re excellent at creating a relaxing, soothing atmosphere conducive to your self-love ritual. Choose candles with scents that you enjoy, such as lavender or vanilla, to help you feel more relaxed.
2. Incense: Burning incense or sage can help purify the air and create a calming and peaceful environment for your ritual. White sage is often recommended, but some people don’t appreciate the scent. So, choose a scent you like; different scents can make or break your experience.
3. Crystals: Many believe crystals have healing properties and can help promote positive energy and self-love. Popular crystals for self-love include rose quartz, amethyst, and citrine. Personally, however, I often go for selenite.
4. Essential oils: Essential oils can create a calming and soothing atmosphere for your self-love ritual. Some popular oils for relaxation and self-love include lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang.
5. Yoga props: If you’re practicing yoga as part of your self-love ritual, you may want to use props such as blocks, straps, bolsters, and socks to help you get into deeper stretches and poses.
6. Journal or notebook: A journal can be an excellent tool for reflecting on your thoughts and feelings during your self-love ritual. Use it to take note of affirmations, gratitude lists, or reflections on your self-love journey. I personally have a journal where I do my manifestation work.
7. Tea or hot beverage: Sipping on a warm cup of tea or hot beverage can be a comforting and calming addition to your self-love ritual. Choose a soothing and relaxing tea, such as chamomile or peppermint. Or try a blend – this Love Thyself Herbal Tea Blend (Organic) is to die for!
8. Herbs: Herbs have been used for thousands of years by many cultures around the world to support well-being or treat ailments, making them perfect self-love ritual tools. Common herbs are lavender and chamomile. I love bergamot and sweet orange. Again, choose the scent that resonates with you.
Note: These tools are optional and are meant to enhance your self-love ritual, not create it. The most important thing is to be present and intentional with your practice.
15+ quick & easy self-love rituals to do on your own
Ready to try something new that’s guaranteed to get you feeling all loved up? Take a look at the list below:
Practice deep breathing exercises
Deep breathing is the simplest way to calm your mind and reduce stress. Get started by finding a comfortable and quiet spot where you can focus on yourself. Use noise-cancelling headphones if it gets too distracting. Then, take slow, deep breaths for a few minutes.
To do this effectively, follow the steps in How to Deep Breathe.
Listen to your favorite music or podcast
I respond best to music, so all of my self-love rituals (actually, all of my rituals) involve music. I switch things up depending on my mood and whether I have the capacity to visualize something or let my mind wander wherever it wants.
If I can hold an image in my head, I go for guided meditation with a gentle, relaxing melody in the background. Currently, I’m listening to Limitless Labs’ digital pills, which use neurolinguistic programming (NLP). You can get a free track from their website, although I recommend paying to access their full pharmacy. It’s a one-off charge. Just wait for them to run a sale because it can get pretty pricey.
If I can’t focus on any single image, I listen to something else. I adore my Live A Blissful Life soundtrack, which I got from Real Subliminal. It’s embedded with affirmations customized to manifest exactly the kind of life I want. I highly recommend it.
I also listen to Aleya Dao and Aeoliah (my favorite is Realms of Grace, but the others are good too). I also like the one below, which I downloaded to my phone and listen to whenever I’m outside:
Take a ritual bath or ritual shower
Water has long been associated with purification, with many religions worldwide often viewing it as sacred. A ritual bath or ritual shower can be a magical experience; all you need is to be present and in the moment. Personally, I need help doing both, so I put my favorite music on (usually that customized track from Real Subliminal I mentioned), then practice deep breathing as I fill up the bath or turn the shower on until it runs hot.
If I want to enhance the experience, I add bath salts and essential oils, choosing the scent based on how I feel. For example, if I’m a bit anxious, I add lavender and chamomile. If I’m feeling down, I use sweet orange, bergamot, and lemon. Sometimes, blends are good, especially those that contain Epsom or Himalayan salt.
Spend some time outside in nature
We all know that being in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety, but you don’t have to go to a forest, mountain, or beach.
If you have a garden, just go out, take your shoes off, and do deep breathing.
If you don’t have a garden but love some greenery, maybe you already have indoor plants you can hold while deep breathing.
If you don’t have a garden and can’t keep a plant alive, perhaps you have fur babies at home that you can cuddle. Positive human-animal interactions have enormous benefits and can be a magical ritual too.
Alternatively, you can take a walk or sit outside in a park to enjoy the beauty of nature. For example, I was once out for a quiet stroll, came across a tree, placed my hand on the bark, and did deep breathing exercises for a minute or so.
You could also invest in grounding footwear that keeps you connected to the earth wherever you go (hence, why they’re also called earthing footwear). For example, the Circadian Lifestyle Sandals are very popular.
Write down three things you love about yourself
Focusing on your positive qualities is a surefire way to fall back into love with yourself. Write down three things you love most about yourself and read them aloud. You could also memorize them and say them often while looking at yourself in the mirror.
It’s a powerful reminder that you are worthy.
You can write these anywhere, but I use Moleskine notebooks – and have done for years. They’re especially helpful when Impostor Syndrome hits or when you go through a traumatic life experience that never fails to make you doubt your worth.
Light a candle or incense to create a calming atmosphere
Lighting a candle or incense can help set the mood. Not only can you use the flame as a singular point to focus on, as you do during candle meditations, but the smoke itself is believed to be a powerful cleanser and purifier. Combine that with the scent of specific herbs, and you have a powerful tool for developing self-love.
My favorites? Nag champa incense and this self-love crystal candle.
Take a short nap or rest for a few minutes
According to a study published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Sleep Research Society, “naps ranging from 10 to 60 min had clear and lasting benefits for positive mood,” with “30-minute naps appearing to have the best trade-off between practicability and benefit.” In other words, this is one of the quickest and easiest self-love rituals you can perform.
Create a transformative experience by playing relaxing music (see the section on music above), diffusing your favorite scent, and snuggling under the comforting weight of a sensory blanket (you’ll probably need to have the A/C on).
Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee and savor it mindfully
The Japanese tea ceremony shows how a simple act can hold significant weight. If, like many, you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee first thing in the morning, you can imbue it with a sense of ritual by slowing down and creating an atmosphere of calm and peace.
Again, there are many ways you can do this. I play my favorite relaxing music (I really highly recommend you get a custom Real Subliminal track), engage in deep breathing, and then get started.
I put the kettle on, and while I wait for it to boil, I sip on crystal-infused water. I use an amethyst crystal bottle. I recently discovered Lunae Sparkling, so if you want your crystal water sparkling and ready-made (and you’re in Australia), you can order online.
Then, once the water has boiled, it’s time to make your hot beverage. I don’t like tea in the morning, so I get some coffee.
Mine isn’t usually so fancy.; I just get a sachet of 3-in-1 Kopiko. If you’re in the Philippines, you can get it anywhere – even your local sari-sari store. If you’re in the US or the UK, believe it or not, Kopiko is on Amazon! If you want freshly roasted coffee, though, ShamCity Roasters has a good selection.
Finally, I add Organic Mushroom Elixir and a teaspoon of collagen powder to my coffee.
Then, I take my pen and journal, go somewhere quiet, and sip my coffee in peace.
Note: I can do this at a reasonable time now (7 or 8 in the morning) because my son is six and can understand that “meditation time” means “mom should only be disturbed in an emergency.” When he was much younger, I had to wake up at 4.30 AM to enjoy the solitude.
Engage in some active forms of meditation
Active meditation refers to those things you do that require focused breathing. Yoga, Pilates, and all types of martial arts can help you release tension and relax your body. I love Yoga With Adriene, whose videos are free on YouTube, especially the one for the neck and back:
Alternatively, I love doing Qigong and Tai Chi at home too. The more vigorous forms of martial arts, such as Karate, Judo, Aikido, etc. (basically anything that involves sparring), I go to a local dojo for.
Focus on positive affirmations
Repeating self-affirming phrases like “I am worthy and deserving of love and happiness” can help boost your self-esteem and confidence. Some people like to recite it as a mantra. You can count using your hands, or you can use mala beads.
Me – I write affirmations in my journal as part of my daily manifestation ritual and listen to subliminal messaging on the custom soundtrack I made.
For examples of positive affirmations you can use, read 100+ Love Affirmations for Self-Love, Romance, and Relationships.
Use a journal to write down your thoughts and feelings
Journaling isn’t just beneficial for self-love. It’s excellent if you’re about the business of shaping your life. Watch this video of Jim Rohn explaining this very thing.
I use a paper journal (Moleskine for the win!), while others go digital. There’s no right or wrong here. The journal you choose must inspire you to write.
The good thing about journaling is that writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you process emotions and gain clarity. The trouble is that if you don’t like writing or you’ve never done it before, all the blank pages in whichever type of journal you choose can be terrifyingly intimidating.
This is why I recommend choosing a printable (with prompts!) if you’re just starting out. There are questions you need to answer, so you don’t have to sit in front of it and wonder what you have to write.
I love this digital and printable self-love journal by MindfullyLitAcademy. It’s beautiful. It makes me want to write. And I get to choose whether to print it out or fill it in electronically. I recommend you try it.
Meditate for a few minutes to quiet your mind
Taking a few minutes to meditate is naturally an excellent self-love ritual. But, again, this doesn’t need to take too much time. If 10 minutes is all you can spare, then 10 minutes it is. You don’t need to listen to music while meditating, although it can certainly enhance the experience.
YouTube has a lot of videos available. Choose which one to listen to depending on how you feel on the day. For example, I love this Reiki grounding music when I’m pressed for time:
When I have more time, then I listen to Limitless Labs. Aleya Dao, Aeoliah, and the subliminal track I keep talking about usually play in the background. So, when meditating as a self-love ritual, I choose another music.
Use self-massage techniques to release tension in your muscles
I believe that massages should be part of healthcare systems all over the world; the benefit of a good massage is massive. If you can’t go to a therapist, then learn self-massage techniques. This self-massage training is currently free on Udemy, so I suggest you sign-up now!
Focus on areas of tension or pain, and use gentle pressure to release knots and promote relaxation. You can also recreate the spa experience by incorporating essential oils, aromatherapy, and relaxing music. Get a heated blanket or a heated bed if you want to go above and beyond. Trust me; they make a difference!
Watch a funny or uplifting movie or TV show
Watching something guaranteed to make you laugh is a wonderful way to shower yourself with love. According to an article in Caring for the Ages, “The power of humor is real…studies show that it helps release tension, decreases levels of stress hormones, lowers blood pressure, and even strengthens the immune system.”
I have three shows I put on when I desperately need cheering up: The Big Bang Theory, The Nanny (the one with Fran Drescher), and more recently, Grace and Frankie.
Pair this with a few other rituals mentioned above (with the added bonus of comfy socks and a big bowl of ice cream), and you’re all set.
Treat yourself to food that you enjoy
Speaking of ice cream.
Eating something that you like can help you feel nourished and satisfied. When I have a cold or feel under the weather, homemade chicken soup is the one thing that can make me happy. If that’s not available, Maggi’s Chicken noodles will do.
Food holds power; when you consume it mindfully, it can nourish more than just your body. There’s a reason why we designate some as comfort food. What these are is incredibly subjective. Choose what resonates with you.
Book some time to pamper yourself with a beauty routine
Beauty routines are very common in my family, both men and women. We go to the spa, get our hair and nails done, get a massage. The list goes on. Taking time to pamper yourself with a beauty routine can help you feel refreshed and relaxed.
And if we can’t go to a spa? We DIY it.
There are so many products you can use now that will make you feel pampered and loved – and that’s what’s important here. Again, this is subjective.
You do you is something I will keep saying. But if you need ideas, these are what I go for:
Spend time cuddling with a loved one
Spending time with a loved one can help you feel connected and supported, benefiting your emotional well-being. It may seem strange that a list of self-love rituals includes something that involves someone else. But humans are social creatures; we respond – physiologically – to other humans.
In fact, this is how important human touch is: “Babies who are not held, nuzzled, and hugged enough can stop growing, and if the situation lasts long enough, even die.” We are born with the need to be touched, and it’s a need that never eases. So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cultivate self-love, hugging someone you love is a great way to do it.
Enjoy a Reiki treatment
Reiki is a healing therapy created by Mikao Usui about a hundred years ago. It involves tapping into universal energy and directing that energy to where it needs to go in order to clear blockages. Because Reiki works with energy, and energy flows where it will, Reiki can be done remotely. You could book a session with a registered practitioner or, if you wish to do it yourself, get a Reiki attunement.
I got mine from Lisa Powers, and I highly recommend it.
Self-love rituals: Final takeaway
Incorporating self-love rituals into your daily routine can be a powerful way to prioritize your own well-being and nurture your relationship with yourself. From journaling to meditation to taking a ritual bath, there are many simple and effective self-love practices you can try at home. By making self-love a priority, you can improve your mental, emotional, and physical health and cultivate a more positive and loving relationship with yourself. So, take some time today to try out one of these quick and easy self-love rituals, and remember to always be kind and gentle with yourself.
For more ideas, check out our post, 100+ Uncommon Self-Care Ideas To Turbocharge Your Life!
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