When there are finances, time constraints, and families to think of, the idea of self-love feels like an indulgent activity you simply do not have time for. That’s especially true if you think that you can only take care of yourself by spending money and doing frivolous things. But the truth is, the best way to love yourself is by doing things that will care for your future self and will have long-lasting effects in your wellbeing.
Here’s how to love yourself without spending anything:
Disconnect from your phone
The mindless chatter from a neverending stream of videos, the always-on music streaming platform, and the countless movies and shows to watch wherever you are–all of those waste time and take your attention away from important things. You may be spending precious minutes watching a drama, but in the back of your mind, you’re anxious because there are tasks you need to do. The anxiety causes you to further procrastinate, and at the end of the day, you have not accomplished anything.
Spending so much time on your phone may also make you dependent on the attention of others, especially if you’re a fan of social media. Those likes and comments may be addicting, and the constant stream of “attention” could be something you start to crave. By disconnecting from your phone, you can start to spend your time more deliberately, so that you will not be wasting away precious minutes.
Create a to-do list
This might feel old school, and if you’re not the organizing type, you may want to skip this advice, but that’s exactly what you shouldn’t do. When you have a lot of chores to do but you don’t know where to start, laying them all out on paper is the best way to take the first step. This mentally prepares you for the day ahead, and this also gives you a sense of satisfaction every time you tick something off your to-do list.
Don’t just stop at writing the list–prioritize. Choose your top three priorities, and make sure you leave room for a reward, such as a five-minute cosmetics online shopping spree.
Stop at checkout
Nowadays, online shopping is the safest and most convenient way to buy everything, from basic necessities to indulgent self-care routines. And why wouldn’t you indulge in online shopping yourself? Studies show that online shopping gives you a dopamine hit at two distinct points: one when you add an item to cart, and another at a later date when you receive the parcel and open it. This means you can get the dopamine boost of adding items to your online cart to simulate that shopping experience, but you don’t necessarily have to actually buy everything.
Doing this will also curb impulsive shopping. If you really want to buy a particular item, come back for it the next day once the impulsivity has died down and you’ve had time to think the purchase through.
With all that’s happening in the world, it’s important to show love to yourself. Do this without having to spend money on unnecessary items. Your future self will thank you for it.