Small Acts of Self-Love for Looking After Yourself as a Practitioner

I know as a practitioner holding space for people to relax, restore and grow is so rewarding. It’s why we do what we do. Uplifting others is such a powerful purpose. 

That being said, to give to others, we must first give to ourselves. It takes energy and care to do what we do. We need to replenish that. 

I want to go into sessions with clients pouring from an overflowing cup, having an abundance of energy, care and positivity to share. In my experience, pouring from a half-full cup leads to burnout. I don’t quite have enough to keep myself going while doing my wonderful work for others. I can’t make the impact I want to make if I’m exhausted!

So, this is your reminder to make practicing self-love a non-negotiable. Afterall, the greatest love we have in our lives is the love we have for ourselves.

Some of the ways I practice self-love

Nurturing your relationship with yourself doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. Often it’s the simple things that allow us to pause, reset and replenish our energy, ready to hold space beautifully for others. 

Here are some ideas of what self-love could look like based on what I enjoy doing. If you think you’ll like them too, give it a go. Or use this to brainstorm ideas for your own self-love rituals. 

What I would say is to make them a non-negotiable. Don’t wait until you need them. Keep yourself topped up by practising self-love regularly. 

Being in nature

This is an instant reset for me. Immersing myself in nature is like coming back to myself. Getting away from screens, getting away from the noise and admiring the beauty of Mother Nature is a great refresher. When I can, I go on a long weekend away from it all. More regularly, going for a walk in the woods or by a river has the same wonderful effect. 

Seeing friends

Love makes the world go round! Spending time with my friends gives me a wonderful top-up of love from them, keeping my reserves full as I give to others and myself. I think this is even more important when you work solo as I do. Having a group where I feel like I belong and can be myself while getting inspired by others helps me to do my work. Everyone is busy so I make sure to plan ahead and know who I’m seeing when each month. 

Exercise first

The first thing I do with my day is exercise. I usually go to the gym. I find this isn’t just good for my physical health. It’s good for my mental health, ADHD and clearing my mind ready for the day. Doing this first thing is a practice in self-love because I’m prioritising myself and that sets the tone for the day really nicely. 

Morning reflection

I’m getting into the habit of having a moment each morning to pause, tune into my body and reflect on what I need that day. Our energy levels and needs change all the time. There’s no point in approaching each day the same way. Recognising that and noticing the support I need is a great act of self-love, wherever I’m at on any given day. 

Journaling

When I haven’t had much time to myself to reflect or pause for a while, I like to journal. I set my space by using palo santo to reset the energy and light my favourite candle. I write down what I’m grateful for and the things I want to call in for myself. I also use my tarot cards and ask for guidance or support.  

Coming back to the breath

If you don’t have much time to yourself and you know you have a full day ahead or an event to run, even just taking two minutes can make a big difference. Take a moment to connect with your breath, deepen the exhales to slow down your nervous system and think about your intention for how you want your day to play out. While you think of your intention, light your favourite smudging tool (this could be sage or palo santo) and allow the scent to envelop you as you take a final moment to yourself. 

I know looking after others comes naturally to you but putting yourself first isn’t a bad thing. Self-love is beautiful. Self-love allows you to love and support others from a place of empowerment and abundance. Isn’t that wonderful?

Of course, one of the things I do to support myself and others is play singing bowls. Many of the practitioners in my community do too. If that’s something you’ve got out of the habit of because you’ve lost confidence or connection to your bowls, I invite you to a mentorship session. This is an hour for practitioners who already have bowls but would like a bit of a recalibration and boost. I’m there to guide you back to your bowls and help you make them a powerful part of your life.