Valentine’s Day can bring to the surface a lot of mixed feelings surrounding love. It’s normal to feel either full of love and admiration, or the opposite, like we’re missing something from our lives or–even worse–like we’ve failed. As a generation that grew up idealizing Disney princess fairytales and believing that happily ever after is finding a Prince Charming, it’s no wonder we can feel like failures if we don’t experience it.
The truth is, there are so many different forms of love available to us, aside from the love that comes from a romantic relationship. There is love that comes from our families, friendships, children, and most importantly, ourselves. So this February–and every day after–take some time to practice self-love because it’s the most important kind. Read on for 50 journal prompts and affirmations to get you started.
Journal prompts on self-love
1. Write yourself a love letter.
2. Look back on the last five years and share the accomplishments you are most proud of.
3. Describe your dream self-care day (then, plan a date to do it).
4. Write down five things you are grateful for.
5. Write about why you are a great friend/partner/daughter.
6. What are you looking for in a romantic relationship? How can you give it to yourself?
7. Who inspires you? What attributes do you share?
8. Name something you love about your body that isn’t related to what it looks like.
9. Write down five things you can do this week to bring joy to your routine.
10. What are you excited about?
11. Write down five nice things people have said about you recently.
12. “I am worthy of love because…”
13. If time and money weren’t an issue, what would you do with your life? Dream a little.
14. When are you saying “yes” when you want to be saying “no.”
15. What can you forgive yourself for?
16. If you could talk to your younger self, what would you tell her?
17. Where can you incorporate play into your life?
18. Write down 30 things that make you smile.
19. What are three self-love habits you can incorporate into your routine?
20. What can you do this week for your body? Your mind? Your soul?
21. “I secretly enjoy…”
22. Describe five traits you liked in yourself as a child.
23. List out your daily habits. Which ones are nurturing? Which ones aren’t?
24. Describe the items in your home that bring you joy. Which ones aren’t bringing you joy, and why are you keeping them?
25. What does “self-love” mean to you?
Affirmations on self-love
1. I am enough.
2. I love my body and all it does for me.
3. I am worthy of love.
4. Everything I need is already within me.
5. I let go of all that does not serve me.
6. Healing doesn’t happen in a straight line.
7. I choose progress over perfection.
8. I have a lot to offer the world.
9. I am not my mistakes or flaws.
10. I honor my own life path.
11. I am balanced.
12. My inner world creates my outer world.
13. I have the ability to reclaim my power.
14. I deserve happiness and joy.
15. The universe has my back.
16. It is a good day to be alive.
17. Good things are ahead of me, good things are coming.
18. I don’t need someone else to feel happiness.
19. I am at peace.
20. I am the hero of my own life story.
21. I will not compare myself to strangers on the internet.
22. I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
23. I am allowed to take up space.
23. I am strong.
25. I am proud of my accomplishments–no matter how small.
