We always think self-love gotta be this huge, dramatic thing - like going on a solo vacation to find yourself or quitting your crappy job. But the truth is, real self-love happens through all the tiny little habits and choices you make every single day.

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It's the small rituals you build into your normal routine that gradually boost your self-esteem and sense of self-worth over time. For me, a couple basic habits that have seriously leveled up my self-love game are just making sure I eat good food and look my best. Hear me out.

Feeding My Body Right

One of the most loving things I do for myself is taking time to cook up delicious, nourishing meals. In our rush-rush world of fast food and processed foods, it's mad easy to just grab whatever's convenient - usually some processed junk lacking any real nutrients. But I've learned when I slow down and make something tasty and healthy, it energizes me and just makes me feel good, you know?

Maybe it's a warm bowl of jollof rice with salad and orange juice to start my day. A big colorful salad with grilled chicken for lunch. And then maybe good egusi soup with enough vegetables Real, whole foods that are as close to nature as it gets.

Cooking these meals is like an act of caring for my body, giving it what it truly needs. And actually sitting down to savor each bite, even if it's just 20 minutes, forces me to be present and grateful. It's basic self-care but low-key meditative too.

Looking Fly

My other little self-love habit is making an effort with my appearance, even if I'm just hanging around the house or running errands. I'll put on a cute outfit that makes me feel confident. Do my hair and makeup on point. Maybe spritz a nice fragrance. Nothing too extra, but just looking intentionally put together.

It's crazy how much of a mood boost this gives me. When I look in the mirror and see my best self looking back, it's like an instant self-esteem spike. A reminder that hey, I've got it going on and I deserve to feel good about myself. A little extra pep in my step, you feel me?

And it's not even about dressing for anyone else - it's flat out dressing for me. Because when I make that little bit of extra effort, it elevates my whole mood and energy. I just feel more capable and motivated to tackle my day. It's a small way to show myself respect.

Making It Stick

Now, neither of these things is revolutionary groundbreaking stuff. They're basic acts of self-care that most of us probably did (or at least wanted to do) as young adults before careers, families and all those grown-up responsibilities took over our lives. Somewhere along the way, we put self-love on the back burner to be "productive."

But bringing back these simple habits has been low-key life-changing for how I see and treat myself. By nourishing my body and outwardly expressing self-respect, I'm sending myself the powerful message that I'm valuable and deserving of love - my own love first and foremost.

It's about prioritizing myself and my needs, even when they seem small or basic. It's showing up for myself every damn day through conscious choices. That's really what self-love boils down to in the end.

The dope thing about routines like these is they become straight-up second nature over time if you just repeatedly do them. They stop being this hard, overly conscious practice you gotta white-knuckle through. They're just...your thing. Steadily renewing your sense of self-worth, little by little.

So if you're struggling to love yourself more, I say look at your daily routine and see what tiny adjustments you can make. What little rituals can you build in for habitual self-care? Maybe it's journaling for 15 minutes every morning. Taking solo walks around your neighborhood a few times a week. Treating yourself to a bomb coffee and reading a good book on Sundays. Anything that honors YOU, feel me?

The magic is in the mundane, regular, everyday stuff. Commit to those basic acts of self-love and self-respect, and you'll be amazed how much your self-esteem grows over time. It all starts with those simple, repeated gestures that prove you're making your own happiness a priority. That's true self-love right there.