Soulful singer and songwriter, Jhené Aiko, makes living her best life seem effortless. Thankfully for us, she’s shared some self-care tips on the socials. Here’s how you can cultivate self-love in your life, just like Jhené.
Understand negative thoughts
“I think we all are battling evil thoughts. I think it’s important to not ignore them but to try to understand where they are coming from and get through them instead of suppressing them.”
Negative thoughts can be uncomfortable to deal with. They can be painful, embarrassing or bring up sadness from the past. While it may seem easier to just ignore these feelings, part of healing involves facing your darkness and learning from it. By understanding where your negative thoughts come from, you can become more aware of yourself and feel empowered to choose self-love instead.
Don’t let other people’s opinions confuse you
“As many people as there are in the world, that’s how many opinions there are. If you let that many opinions affect your own opinion, you’re going to be so confused.”
Everyone in your life will have an opinion on how you’re living. Sometimes, opinions come from people who care for you and are sharing good advice. Other times, opinions can be confusing and distract you from your path. Learning to tell which opinions matter and which ones to ignore takes time, but it’s a vital part of self-love.
Have a creative outlet
“I make music for healing purposes, for myself. It’s like journaling or when people paint. It’s sort of an escape. It’s turning pain or frustration into something; into art.”
By expressing her feelings creatively, Jhené gives herself the chance to reflect on life while doing something she loves. Even if you feel like you’re not too creative, you can benefit so much from expressing yourself through art. Remember that art isn’t just about drawing, writing or music – other activities such as cooking, gardening, sewing, etc. can also allow you to tap into a creative state of mind.
Breathe
“To me, meditation isn’t taking five minutes out of the day to sit by yourself in solitude. It’s more about mindful living and making sure that you’re constantly checking up on breath and breathing deeply.”
If meditating at a specific time feels like a challenge, you can start by being more mindful in your everyday. Check in with yourself while you’re doing your daily tasks and breathe deeply, releasing any tension you’re holding in your body. There’s no right time to feel peaceful – every moment can be a chance to relax and show yourself some kindness.
We love how open Jhené Aiko is about her mental health and self-love journey. We hope you’ve found her words helpful. Remember, you can give yourself the love you deserve. If you ever need some advice about self-love, self-care and mental health, send us a message on Ask CellCgirl. We’re always here to listen.
