Creating endless love starts with you.

‘Self-care’ is a buzzword in the conscious living circle. It’s a reminder that after we leave the nest our health and happiness is all on us. But, what does self-care look like? How do you know when you’re doing it? How do you know you’re doing it right? Let me tell you a little secret: Self-care seems like it’s HARD work, yet it doesn’t have to be.

For many of us, self-care is a journey fraught with obstacles. Those obstacles could have been born from the emotional trauma of trying to “fit in”, being betrayed, fighting, and all the resulting anxiety and depression. The list could be long, but you can chose to not allow those obstacles to stop you from growing. Self-care = recognising you need to love yourself. Start your adventures around love in your own backyard with self love, before you invite anyone to the party.

The 10 hardest yet most rewarding aspects of Self-care:

1. 1. Setting boundaries
2. 2. Maintaining set boundaries
3. 3. Saying “No!” and not wavering when others expect you to say, “Yes!”
4. 4. Letting yourself have fun
5. 5. Looking in the mirror and telling yourself, “I love you!”
6. 6. Recovery from addiction
7. 7. Going to therapy
8. 8. Telling your partner that you need them
9. 9. Maintaining a healthy, balanced eating habit
10. Listening to and honoring your body

Okay, okay this list seems daunting. Self-care goes way beyond a visit to the spa once a week, or picking up a sweet treat at the local fruit market. Sure it’s a part of it, yet a very small part. Don’t get me wrong, I love a huge slice of Tiramisu as much as the next girl, and I will treat myself from time to time. Yet, a piece of Tiramisu will only make me happy in the moment. It’s temporary joy, it fades after the cake is gone and then maybe a little sadness kicks in. Self-care is long-term and continuous self-care becomes self-love. Love of self increases the ability to give and receive love. It is all reciprocal: what you put out you get back.

Lock down your love with magic

Did you read number 5 above and cringe? Let me tell you another secret: Love and magic both come from within. In order to attract love, you first must love yourself. Most people get into magic to find their soul mate. That is usually based on believing they need someone to make them feel loved and whole. Have you ever thought about using magic in supporting your journey of self-care, so you can feel loved and whole as a person first.

Start your self-care practice by placing Blessed Herbal Love’s Enchantment, Inner Balance, and Happiness candles in candle holders from left to right. As you light the Love’s Enchantment say, “I AM love. I am the loved and the lover. My love endures beginning within me.” Stand or sit in quiet feeling love radiate from your heart and surround you.

Next, light the Inner Balance candle saying, “Love is my inner pendulum. It keeps me centered and balanced.” Stand or sit in quiet and imagine a pendulum swinging to and fro and coming to the center and being still.

Finally, light the Happiness candle saying, “As a love-bearing and centered person, I create happiness and joy in my life.” Stand or sit in quiet imagining a scene from nature that makes you smile, whether it is watching the sunrise, or gazing at a full moon. Now play some music that makes you want to dance and sing along. Dancing and singing raises our vibrations and makes us smile! Burn the candles every day at the same time until they burn out.

Now get working on that list and know that you are magically supported.

Remember, if you keep your magic close with a daily practice, it will keep you close in its effectiveness and speed. Keep living the magic, Jacki.

Live the Magic with Jacki Smith through her blogs, books, and products here.