Journey 102: Building a Self-Love Routine That Speaks to You



My last post talked about my slow but steady journey to self-love and how it all began with just a cleansing soap and a vitamin C serum.

At that point, starting with just those two things, it seemed like all I needed to start feeling better about myself—because it really did make me feel a lot better, especially whenever I stepped out to run errands. I moved differently, more confidently, because I knew my skin was looking much better than before. I felt like maybe a part of me had changed.

Later into my self-love journey, I sat back one day, smiled at the mirror, and realized it wasn’t just about how I looked—it was about how I felt about myself. It was like I had a little secret no one knew about.

I didn’t realize it at first because the process happens gradually,but Words of Affirmation? They are everything and it gradually began to rewire my self perception. It became more personal -like my mantra I use on days I feel low.

I downloaded the 'I am' motivation app so I could add affirmation widgets to my home screen and create mine. I love that app so much because it felt like it was speaking to me . But this was just the beginning -as my self perception shifted,so did my relationships.

I probably surprised a few of my friends—the ones I used to say “yes” to all the time, always trying to get things done for them. I was in full-on people-pleasing mode. It’s funny how simply saying "No, please," when something was inconvenient or didn’t serve me made my life so much easier.

I started to withdraw from my clique and certain people who thought I was suddenly acting strange and becoming “selfish.” It hurt—a lot, actually—but deep down, I felt lighter. For a while, I didn’t have close friends because my growth made my old friends feel distant.

But that solitude? It made me grow and become more introspective. At first, I overthought everything, but eventually, I found peace in evening strolls, listening to my favorite music, and diving deep into self-love and personal development content.

Tam Kaur became my biggest inspiration! Listening to her podcasts and watching her YouTube videos made me feel like THAT girl. Taking her powerful advice, I got a journal,a little treat to spoil myself. I started journaling, practicing gratitude, and at that point, I was already feeling like THAT girl!

For me,the hardest part was setting boundaries . Communicating what I didn’t like. Walking away from situations that didn't serve the person I was becoming. I wasn’t even looking to make new friends—I was just fully invested in becoming a better version of myself.

We don’t talk enough about the loneliness that creeps in when you start real self-care—the kind that forces you to let go of people, habits, and old versions of yourself. The occasional doubt. The fear of whether you're doing the right thing. But you are!

I'd love to know—what’s the realest, hardest part of your self-care journey? What’s something you had to let go of, even when it hurt? Drop a 💓 if this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear this, and let’s chat in the comments!