7 Ways to

Cultivate
Self-Love
 Let’s brainstorm!
Work in pairs/groups. You have 3 minutes to list as many positive qualities or traits as you can think of.

Select two or three traits from the list that you believe best describe you.
 7 Ways to Cultivate Self-Love
List seven ways you think self-love
can be cultivated, then quickly
read the text on the next slide to
check if any of your ideas are
mentioned.
 7 Ways to Cultivate Self-Love
Self-love is a term that gets tossed around a lot, but it's not just some feel-good concept. It's absolutely vital to our emotional well-being and mental health. Self-love
helps us develop 1)emotional resilience, which in turn allows us to better handle life's ups and downs with grace. When we love ourselves, we are more likely to give
ourselves the benefit of the doubt, to embrace our flaws and quirks, and to zero in on our personal goals and dreams. So how do you cultivate self-love? Here are seven
powerful practices that can help you develop a deeper sense of love and compassion for yourself:
1. Practice self-compassion
We're often our own harshest critics, but this only serves to 2)erode our self-esteem. Instead, try treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you
would offer to a close friend. When you make a mistake or 3)fall short of your own expectations, remind yourself that nobody is perfect and that it's okay to be human.
2. Let go of perfectionism
Perfectionism is 4)an insidious mindset that can hold you back from truly appreciating and loving yourself. Instead of striving for an impossible ideal, focus on doing
your best and celebrating your accomplishments, no matter how small they may be. Remember that true beauty lies in our imperfections.
3. Set healthy boundaries
One of the most important acts of self-love is learning to say "no" when something doesn't align with your values or priorities. It's okay to put your own needs first and to
establish boundaries that protect your time, energy, and well-being. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and support you, and let go of relationships that
5)drain you or bring you down.
4. Practice gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful practice that can help shift your focus from what's wrong in your life to what's right. Take a few moments each day to reflect on the things you're
grateful for – big or small. This can be as simple as appreciating a beautiful sunset, a warm cup of tea, or the love and support of your family and friends. 6)Cultivating an
attitude of gratitude can help you develop a deeper sense of self-love and contentment.
5. Forgive yourself and others
7)Holding onto grudges and resentment only weighs you down and prevents you from fully embracing love and joy in your life. Learn to forgive yourself for past
mistakes and release any 8)lingering guilt or shame. Similarly, make an effort to forgive others who have hurt you, not for their sake, but for your own peace of mind.
Letting go of anger and resentment allows you to move forward with love and compassion.
 7 Ways to Cultivate Self-Love
6. Take care of your physical health
Self-love isn't just about nurturing your emotional well-being; it also involves taking care of your physical health. Make time for regular exercise, eat a balanced diet, get
enough sleep, and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. When you take care of your body, you send a powerful message to yourself that you are worthy
of love and care.
7. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, without judgment or attachment. By cultivating mindfulness, you can become more aware of your
thoughts and emotions and learn to observe them without getting caught up in them. This can help you break free from negative thought patterns and cultivate a
deeper sense of love and acceptance for yourself.
Remember, self-love is not something that happens overnight. It's a lifelong journey that requires patience, practice, and self-compassion. But by 9)incorporating these
practices into your daily life, you can begin to develop a deeper sense of love and appreciation for the amazing person that you are.

Read the text again, and match the underlined phrases with their meanings. Write the number of the phrase next to the correct meaning.
______ A. Weakening one's confidence and sense of self-worth over time.
______ B. Gradually adopting these methods into your daily life.
______ C. The ability to recover quickly from emotional distress.
______ D. Carrying a prolonged sense of regret or self-reproach from past actions or failures.
______ E. To negatively impact your energy or mood.
______ F. To not achieve what you had hoped or planned.
______ G. Developing a habit of recognizing and appreciating positive aspects of life.
______ H. Persisting in feeling bitterness or anger towards someone for past slights or wrongs.
______ I. A harmful way of thinking that is often not immediately noticeable.
 7 Ways to Cultivate Self-Love
1. Match each phrase with the correct antonym. 2. Discuss these questions with a partner.

Can you think of any habits or relationships in your life that tend to
A. Building up one's self-confidence _____ 1.Emotional resilience
drain you or bring you down? How do you deal with them in the
context of practising self-love?
B. Neglecting these methods in daily life _____ 2. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude What does having a wholesome mindset mean to you, especially
in relation to self-love? Can you share a personal experience where
C. A straightforward or wholesome mindset 3. Erode our self-esteem adopting such a mindset made a positive impact?
_____
Discuss some strategies or activities that have been effective in
D. Meeting or exceeding your own building up your self-confidence.
standards _____ 4. Lingering guilt or shame
How can cultivating an attitude of gratitude contribute to self-
love? Do you have any daily practices that help you maintain this
E. Letting go of past bitterness and anger _____ 5. Fall short of your own expectations attitude?
What are some things, activities, or people that uplift and
F. Overlooking positive aspects of life _____ 6. Drain you or bring you down energize you?

G. Ongoing feelings of contentment and 7. Holding onto grudges and resentment

self-forgivenes _____

H. Uplift and energize _____ 8. Incorporating these practices

I. Emotional fragility _____ 9. An insidious mindset

 extra vocabulary practice
Read each sentence and underline the option that you think is correct based on the context of self-love and emotional well-being.

1. To maintain a healthy mindset, it's important to cultivate / neglect an attitude of gratitude.

2. When feeling overwhelmed, practising mindfulness / carelessness can help you stay grounded and
present.
3. Regular exercise can erode / boost your self-esteem by making you feel stronger and more energized.
4. One effective way to combat lingering confidence / guilt is through self-forgiveness and
understanding.
5. A sign of emotional fragility / resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks and learn from
experiences.
6. Instead of seeking perfection, aim to embrace your flaws / guilt and shame, as they make you unique.
7. Spending time with people who uplift and energize / drain and discourage you is crucial for
maintaining positive mental health.
8. It is beneficial to replace an insidious / encouraging mindset with one that is more positive and self-
affirming.
9. Daily affirmations are a powerful tool to build up / erode your self-confidence and self-worth.
10. To foster self-love, it's important to overlook / reflect on your achievements and personal growth.
11. Regularly building up / incorporating your self-confidence can have a profound impact on how you
view yourself and your abilities.
12. Choosing to hold onto / let go of grudges and resentment can lead to greater emotional freedom and
happiness.
 The Self-Love Spectrum
Read each statement below and choose the option that best describes how often you feel or act this way. There are no right or wrong
answers - this is just a way to reflect on your self-love and self-care habits.

1. I acknowledge and celebrate my small victories. 6. I take time out for activities that I enjoy.
Often Often
Sometimes Sometimes
Rarely Rarely
2. I forgive myself when I make a mistake. 7. I feel proud of who I am.
Often Often
Sometimes Sometimes
Rarely Rarely
3. I prioritize my own needs and well-being. 8. I regularly engage in activities that help me relax.
Often Often
Sometimes Sometimes
Rarely Rarely
4. I feel comfortable saying 'no' to others when I need to. 9. I openly accept compliments from others.
Often Often
Sometimes Sometimes
Rarely Rarely
5. I speak to myself with kindness and compassion. 10. I am aware of my personal strengths and qualities.
Often Often
Sometimes Sometimes
Rarely Rarely
 Scoring and results
After completing the questionnaire, take a few moments to review your answers. Count the number of times you chose
each response category: 'Often', 'Sometimes', and 'Rarely'. Do you agree or disagree with the results?

Mostly 'Often':
You have a strong practice of self-love and self-care. Keep nurturing these habits! This shows that you understand the importance of caring for
yourself, both mentally and physically. Continue exploring new ways to practice self-kindness and maintain this positive trajectory. Your approach
to self-love not only benefits you but can also inspire those around you to embrace similar practices.

Mostly 'Sometimes':
You're on the right track with self-love. You recognize its importance, but there may be room for more consistent practice. Consider areas you can
improve and try to incorporate more self-care into your routine. Remember, small, daily acts of self-love can make a big difference over time.
Reflect on what barriers might be preventing you from practising self-care more regularly, and think about how you can overcome them. Self-love is
a journey, and every step towards it is valuable.

Mostly 'Rarely':
It might be helpful to focus more on self-love and self-care. Remember, taking care of yourself is crucial
for your overall well-being. If you find it challenging to prioritize yourself, start with small, manageable
steps. Reflect on what self-love means to you and identify simple actions you can take to show yourself
compassion and kindness. It's never too late to start this journey, and even small changes can have a
significant impact on your life. You deserve the same love and care that you give to others.
 30-Day Self-love Challenge
Write a letter to yourself,
A 30-day self-love challenge is a Take a 30-minute Write down 3 things you Cook a healthy meal for Spend 20 minutes
to be opened in one
mindful walk are grateful for yourself meditating
fantastic way to encourage positive year

habits and self-appreciation. Here are

some activity ideas for each day of the Practice deep breathing Call or meet a friend for
Take a break from your
Take a long, relaxing
mobile phone for the Try a new yoga pose
challenge. Discuss with a partner for 10 minutes a heart-to-heart talk bath
entire day
which ones you would like to try.
Create a playlist of songs Give genuine Say "No" to a
Visit a park or natural Do a random act of
that make you feel compliments to at least commitment you're not
reserve kindness
happy and confident five people today excited about

Write about a happy Try a new hobby or Watch your favourite Go to bed half an hour Do something
memory revisit an old one movie earlier spontaneous

Read a chapter of a Try a new tea or coffee Write down 3 things you
Buy yourself a small gift Spend time in the sun
book flavour love about yourself

Write your own personal

Take the day off chores Organize and declutter a Reflect on the progress
affirmations and say Do something creative
and errands part of your living space. you've made this month
them out loud
 Role-play
Pair up with a classmate for this role-play activity. Each pair will receive a scenario involving a concept of self-love. Use
the phrases from today’s lesson in your dialogue to address the situation.

Scenario 1: Alex feels overwhelmed by self-doubt after

receiving constructive criticism at work.
Use these phrases to develop your own advice:

It might be beneficial to...

Scenario 2: Sarah often feels drained after spending time with Have you considered...?
a particular group of friends but worries about offending them One approach/way could be to...
by saying no to invitations. I would suggest that...
It could be helpful/useful to...
Perhaps you might...
Scenario 3: John tends to focus on his mistakes and rarely
acknowledges his achievements. If I were you, I would...
You may want to consider...
A possible solution/option is to...
Scenario 4: Emma is struggling to move on from a past decision There's an argument for...
that didn't turn out well.
 extra tasks
5
Complete each sentence using up to five words from today’s lesson, including Optional activity. Fill in this 5-
the word given in brackets.
Minute minute gratitude journal. You can
Gratitude
Journal keep the answers private.
1. To move forward, it's essential to release any ____________________ we might feel about
past mistakes. (GUILT) Breathe before writing 3 best things about today

2. Constant negative self-talk can ____________________ and make us doubt our worth.
(ERODE) INHALE
EXHALE
INHALE
EXHALE
INHALE
EXHALE

3. Sometimes, I feel I ____________________ when I don't meet my own high standards.

(SHORT) Things you're grateful for today
4. I try to avoid situations that tend to ____________________, such as unnecessary conflicts or
t
hligh
negativity. (DRAIN) y'sH
ig
da
5. By ____________________, we can shift our focus to the positive aspects of our lives. To

(GRATITUDE)
Describe today in a drawing
6. ____________________ is key when facing life's challenges, helping us to overcome them
with ease. (EMOTIONAL) Things that you’ve learned

7. Changing from ____________________ to a more optimistic one can significantly improve

our life outlook. (INSIDIOUS)
8. I've been ____________________ like meditation and journaling into my daily life to
Today's Affirmation
improve my mental health. (INCORPORATING)
9. ____________________ only keeps us stuck in the past, preventing personal growth.
(HOLDING)
Quizlet

Revise the words for the next lesson. Use this

Quizlet set. You can also play different games to
practice or even test yourself in the Quizlet app
or on the site.
thank you!