Be your own Valentine with these 3 self-love tips

With Valentine’s Day coming up, it’s important to remember that love isn’t only something you express to other people through flowers and fancy gestures. It’s also something you can express to yourself—fully free of cost!

I’m Neha, a 2^nd year student at King’s, and I want to share few simple yet powerful habits that have helped me cultivate self-love in my daily life.

Enjoy your guilt-free relaxation

As a busy university student, it can be tough to unwind without feeling like you should be studying. But prioritising your happiness is just as important as your studies. So, recognise the worth of your own happiness by allowing yourself to engage in some guilt-free relaxation even amidst hectic exam periods. Take time to explore London, binge watch a show or visit a cozy cat cafe. Trust me, you’ve earned it!

Celebrate your accomplishments

Acknowledging your achievements, no matter how big or small, is a wonderful way to practice self-love. You can recognise your accomplishments either by journaling or even just crossing out your daily completed tasks in a planner or to-do list. This has allowed me to look back on everything I've achieved on a day-to-day basis and appreciate myself for my hard work. It also keeps me more productive and organised, which is an added bonus.

Prioritise yourself

If you’re like me and struggle to say ‘no’ to people, then this tip is for you. Establishing boundaries and prioritising your own needs above other’s is one of the most underrated forms of self-love. It may sound selfish, but at the end of the day all you really have is yourself—so why exhaust yourself trying to please others all the time? Whether this means declining invitations because you’re tired or taking a little longer than normal to reply to all those emails in your inbox, it’s important to take time out for yourself every now and then.

Practising self-love isn’t something you just put a little effort into once a year and then forget about for the next 364 days. It's a continuous journey.

The key to unlocking self-love is consistency, and that’s why I try my best to incorporate each of these habits into my everyday life. Even if I forget every now and then, I don’t beat myself up about it. Instead, I simply remind myself that these habits are there to support me in the long run and use the next day as an opportunity to better take care of myself.

Additionally, to look after the ‘whole you’ and different aspects of your wellbeing, you can practice the King’s Way to Wellbeing.

So, if you are reading this, be your forever valentine and embrace self-love. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.