How to Make Self-Love and Self-Care a Lifestyle, Not Just a Week

It’s official, Love Yourself Week is coming to a close…check out this blog to find out how you can turn Love Yourself Week into a Love Yourself Lifestyle.

Love Yourself Week is coming to a close (I’m not crying, you’re crying), but that doesn’t mean the self-love and self-care has to come to an end too, which is why we’re going to share some strategies with you to turn Love Yourself Week into a Love Yourself Lifestyle!

But first off, Happy Valentines Day! Today is a day dedicated to love and friendship, why not take some of this energy and direct at yourself?

Take some time to sit down and think about how you want to build self-care into your lifestyle, considering other aspects of your life, including academic commitments, sports, societies, and socialising, uni can be a busy time! But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make time to incorporate your self-care into your everyday routine, and it definitely shouldn’t feel like a challenge, which is why starting small can often be your best bet.

1. Positive affirmations are a great way to build mindfulness and practice self-love. You could write yourself a positive affirmation such a “I am beautiful” or “I am strong” on your mirror to look at whilst you’re getting ready. Or, add a virtual post-it-note to your laptop to remind yourself “I deserve to achieve my goals” or “Success is mine to achieve” during stressful study periods. These might feel like little affirmations, but build up to improve self-esteem, every little helps!
2. Another way to incorporate self-care into everyday life is setting time aside to do something you love. It could be a solo coffee date, or meeting with friends to try a new restaurant or activity together. Listening to personal needs is a fundamental aspect of self-love. If exhaustion kicks in, resting is necessary. If feelings of overwhelm creep in, taking a step back can help. If loneliness sets in, reaching out to a friend or loved one can provide comfort. Being in tune with both physical and emotional needs is an act of self-care in itself.
3. Loving yourself means protecting your peace. Setting boundaries helps ensure that your time and energy go toward things that uplift rather than drain you. Cutting out toxic relationships and saying no when needed is part of honouring yourself. Surrounding yourself with people and things that bring joy and inspiration is key to maintaining the good vibes.
4. Shifting towards a gratitude-focused mindset can completely change your perspective. Taking a few moments each day to appreciate what’s going well fosters resilience and optimism. Additionally, being mindful of how you speak to yourself is key. Transforming self-doubt into encouragement—such as replacing "I can’t do this" with "I’m learning and growing every day"—can help build a healthier self-perception.

Making self-love and self-care a lifestyle isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about the little things done every day. The more these practices are prioritized, the more natural they become. You deserve love and care, not just for a week, but always. Start now, take small steps, and watch how much better you feel <3

If you’re looking for further support, on-campus services such as the SU Advice Centre, or University’s Wellbeing Team, are available for you to reach out to.