If you want to treat yourself right, you need to first understand the difference between self love vs self care. Then you must ensure you practice both regularly!
These terms are often used interchangeably. So, most people assume it’s one and the same. People just assume it’s doing something nice for oneself, like taking a break, eating healthy, and so on.
However, both these concepts are pretty different, are practiced differently, and bring different benefits to your life.
So, let’s know it all here…
What is Self Love?
The concept of self-love asks you to be kind to yourself. To practice it, you show compassion, respect yourself, and embrace both the good and bad parts of yourself.
You value yourself and be authentic to yourself. You accept yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Self Love Methods
Some ways to practice self-love are:
- Trust your hunches.
- Set healthy boundaries.
- Prioritize your wellness.
- Seek help.
- Celebrate your wins.
- Set healthy and realistic expectations.
- Be true to yourself.
- Forgive yourself for your mistakes.
- Talk to yourself lovingly.
- Don’t seek others’ approval.
Usually, it’s best to incorporate them all to enjoy the best of life.
Self Love Benefits
The most common benefits of self-love are:
- You lead a healthy lifestyle.
- You have a deep, loving bond with yourself.
- And, you feel motivated and confident.
- You grow personally.
- It lowers stress and anxiety.
What is Self Care?
The concept of self-care, on the other hand, is all about giving yourself extra care. It’s somewhat similar to self-love, but not completely. This is because self-care can’t replace self-love.
Through self-care activities, you show yourself that you deserve attention and care. It usually includes things that help you feel better physically, emotionally, or mentally.
Self Care Methods
The same self-care methods don’t work for everyone unlike self-love. So, here are various options:
- Read books.
- Take a break and relax.
- Work out.
- Step outside.
- Shower or bathe.
- Spend time with a loved one.
- Practice mindfulness.
- Declutter and organize your room or house.
- Try journaling.
- Pamper yourself with a manicure and pedicure.
Self Care Benefits
Some benefits of practicing self-love are:
- You won’t frequently have low mood or mood swings.
- You’ll have lower chances of having stress, anxiety, and depression.
- You’ll have better-regulated emotions and focus better.
- And, you’ll feel fulfilled, satisfied, and happy.
- All the above benefits reduce the chances of you getting ill physically or mentally.
Now that you understand the basics of both concepts, let’s get down to the differences…
Primary Differences Between Self Love Vs Self Care
The definition, benefits, and ways to practice both self-love and self-care are not the only ways to differentiate between them. So, let’s understand some more important points of difference here.
| Self-love | Self-care | |
| Focus | It focuses on internal matters. | It focuses on external matters. |
| Purpose | It helps you accept yourself. | It makes you feel rewarded. |
| Health improvement | It supports your emotional health. | It supports your overall health. |
| Frequency | It’s practiced continuously. | It’s practiced daily, weekly, etc. |
| Support | It helps you be resilient. | It helps you cope. |
| Effects | It’s transformative. | It’s preventive. |
It’s always better to get a deeper understanding of the differences. So, let’s know that here…
1. Self-love is internal, while self-care is external
Self-love practices are focused inward. It helps you build a positive relationship with yourself emotionally and psychologically. Since society always tries to make you feel inferior, self-love helps you overcome negative emotions.
Self-care practices, however, primarily focus on external aspects like diet, skincare, exercise, interacting with beings and objects in the world, and so on.
2. Self-love is about acceptance, but self-care helps you make you feel better
Self-love helps you accept yourself no matter what life throws at you. It teaches you to cherish yourself even if you make mistakes. You know that you are not perfect, and still, don’t judge yourself.
On the flip side, self-care only makes you feel better or rewards you. It’s like patting yourself on the back and saying, “You’ve done a great job, so you deserve this!”
3. Self-love improves your emotional health, while self-care improves your overall health
When you practice self-love, you mostly help your emotional and mental health thrive. However, self-care activities take care of your physical, emotional, psychological, and all other forms of health.
4. Self-love is a continuous process, but self-care can be a daily or weekly practice
Self-love is an ongoing mindset and attitude towards yourself. There’s no moment you stop loving yourself. For instance, you always maintain your boundaries, trust yourself, and so on.
On the flip side, self-care activities can be pursued at set intervals. For instance, you can take a shower daily, organize your space weekly, or get a professional manicure and pedicure twice a month.
5. Self-love makes you resilient, but self-care is a coping tool
While facing challenges, self-love motivates you to keep working hard. It reminds you that you can do it even if you make mistakes. The practices calm your heart and push you to fight all odds in life.
But self-care doesn’t have any motivating effect. Instead, when you feel worn out after a long day of struggle, it lets you take the load off your chest. You pamper your body and soul so that your spirit isn’t crushed. It prevents you from feeling burnt out from difficulties.
6. Self-love has transformative effects, but self-care has preventive effects
If your perspective is already negative or you’re emotionally scarred, self-love can help. It slowly changes your perspective for the better and heals all emotional and mental scars. Thus, it’s transformative.
Self-care, on the other hand, prevents you from the worst. It soothes your soul, mind, and body to cope. So you don’t break down completely. Hence, it’s preventive.
A word from TheMindFool
Both self-care and self-love are equally important in your life. So, remember not to neglect any of these. So, figure out the best practices for you to feel loved and cared for. Try out all possible methods for each of them and stick to the one that helps you the most!
Remember, you’ll encounter people who will tell you off for taking time for yourself. However, don’t let them affect you. Carry on with these practices, and cherish yourself!
