5 Simple Acts of Self-Love You Can Start Today

February is the month for love, but amidst all the stuffed animals, chocolates, and heart shaped.. *everything*, let’s not forget the most important relationship of all: the one you have with yourself. Self-love ain’t just some fluffy Instagram quote. It’s about how you treat yourself every day. And the good news is: you don’t need a fancy spa day to start showing yourself some love. Here are five simple ways to do it today:

1. Write a Love Letter to Yourself

I know, I know. This might feel a bit cringe. But stick with me. If you’ve ever written a heartfelt message to a friend or partner, why not do the same for yourself? Physically write down things you love or appreciate about yourself, no matter how small they are. “I always try to be kind to others.” “I make a mean cheese toastie.” “I’ve made it through 100% of my worst days.”. Bonus points if you write it down as an actual letter, but it also works to have it in your phone notes too.

It’s not big headed, and it doesn’t have to even be super deep. Just take a moment to actually big yourself up, and save it so you can look back at it whenever you need a reminder of what a legend you are, from someone you know you can trust (you!).

2. Treat Yourself. But Like, Properly

I’m not talking retail therapy until your bank account cries (although, I’m definitely guilty of that, and if ya DO wanna retail therapy you know our shop’s the place to be 👀). I’m talking about treating yourself in a way that actually fills your cup. That could be making your favourite meal, taking a long walk, or spending that little extra time in the bath. It could even just be making the time to watch that show you’ve been meaning to. Do the little things that help you feel better.

But the real sauce is: do it intentionally. The mindset that you do something with is almost more important than the activity itself. So for example, I love playing video games. But there’s a difference between me being bored on a rainy Sunday, playing CoD for 6 hours, and catching myself overthinking & spending an hour swinging around New York as Spider-man to clear my head.

3. Set a Boundary (and Stick to It)

Self-love isn’t just about treating yourself though; it’s about protecting your energy, too. That might mean saying no to plans when you’re drained, muting someone on social media who makes you feel rubbish, or setting aside an hour for you without feeling guilty about it.

Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re self-respect. Know your boundaries, and don’t be afraid to set them.

4. Move Your Body In a Way That’s Right for You

Yes, yes, I know. A mental health blog telling you to exercise. How original. 🙄 But exercise doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym for two hours. Moving your body in any way that feels enjoyable—whether that’s dancing in your kitchen, going for a walk, or even stretching while watching TV—can do wonders for your mood. Physical movement releases endorphins, which help boost your mindset and energy levels, so ofc I’m going to recommend it. The key is to find something you actually enjoy, so it feels like a treat rather than a chore. 

For me, I’ve just never got on with running, so I know that’s not gonna be the thing that helps me. But I discovered that I love lifting weights & kickboxing. Which have been way more enjoyable (and easy to stick with!) than trying to make myself do something I don’t get on with. You’ve just gotta try a few things until you find what’s right for you.

This reminded me of Jo’s Story from a good few years back..! But it’s still just as relevant a read now, as it was back then.

5. Do One Thing That Makes Future You Happy

Self-love is also about looking out for future you. That might mean tidying your space so you don’t wake up stressed, meal prepping so you don’t survive on crisps all week, or finally booking that doctor’s appointment you’ve been avoiding. Even something tiny—like laying out tomorrow’s clothes before bed—can be an act of self-care for future you.

So show the future version of yourself some love too, by doing small things today to make your life easier tomorrow.

A Final Thought:

Loving yourself isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about showing it off online. And it’s not about spending money. It’s about treating yourself with the same kindness you’d show to the people around you. So pick one thing from this list and actually do it today. Go on, I dare you.

If You Found This Helpful: 

Grab some of our merch with a message! We’ve got stuff that’s designed to help you manage your mental health, and show yourself some love. And as an added bonus: every purchase helps keep HATW running, so we can keep making stuff like this. 🫶