Five Ways to Love Yourself: Transformative Self- Care for 2026
- Jada Nicola
- Feb 2
- 4 min read
I’ve been a longtime fan of Our Quarterly Community. After collaborating with OQC on a #FeelGoodFriday post back in February 2024 to share my love of books and intentional rest, it felt like a natural next step to work together again. This time, I’m excited to share my favorite ways to care for myself, not only during February, but throughout the entire year. Self-care is not seasonal. It is an ongoing commitment to showing up for yourself.
What does it mean to love yourself truly? I am not talking in a vanity sense of way, but in a way that honors who you are, body and spirit. How do you show up for yourself? How do you talk to yourself? Do you create sustainable habits? These are some of the reflective questions you can answer to create a better relationship with yourself.
Here are five simple ways to show yourself love going forward:
Be Intentional with Your Time
Time is our most important currency, and sometimes that means setting boundaries for yourself and others to respect. Reflect on what energizes you the most versus drains you. It can be a task, an event, or people. Being intentional with your time allows you to choose who or what you want to give your time and energy to. Does it leave you feeling fulfilled, or are you more physically and emotionally tired?
Say yes to what you truly want and learn when to say no.
Create a Morning or Evening Routine
Create a consistent routine for yourself, whether it is in the morning or in the evening. It gives you something to look forward to each day and allows you dedicated time to learn something new or enjoy a simple self-care moment to put you in a good mood.
I prefer a morning routine. I look forward to making my coffee, reading my daily devotional, reading leisurely for 30 minutes, and completing my chess lesson via the Duolingo app. This routine allows me to feel accomplished at the start of the day, and it's something I look forward to when I wake up.
Date Yourself
Just as you would with a partner, create and spend intentional time for yourself. This act helps to build self-trust, self-love, and personal growth. You will quickly realize you do not have to depend on others to have an exciting or fulfilled day. Plan a solo day where you can enjoy some of your favorite things, such as going to your favorite restaurant for lunch and then heading over to a bookstore to treat yourself to a new read.
Treat this as a dedicated date to yourself, which means put the phone away. On a typical date, you would not be scrolling on social media (I hope not!) or chit-chatting on the phone with friends. Make this about you, push yourself out of your comfort zone if needed. Once you start, your solo dates will be a time you look forward to.
Other ideas include:
Go to a new museum.
Take a yoga class.
Go to a local beach and enjoy take-out.
Try a new recipe.
Try a new restaurant.
Read a book at a local coffee shop.
Go wine tasting.
Make your own flower arrangement.
Go for a walk and listen to a podcast or audiobook.
Discover local town activities to connect with your community.
Practice Gratitude
I recently shared a post on my blog about how practicing gratitude daily is important for health along with ways to express it daily. Practicing gratitude is all about shifting your mindset from focusing on everything wrong to focusing on finding the positives or the things we are grateful for each day. For example, we are in the middle of a snowstorm as I write this post, and I am grateful I have a warm home to take shelter and the means to purchase the essentials such as food and gas.
It might be something small, but the impact can be lasting. I encourage you to start by making a list of three things you are grateful for each day; it can be anything. See how your perspective on your life will begin to change.
Try an Infrared Sauna
Lastly, let’s not forget that health and wellness are part of self-care. Eating right and exercising are essential for physical and mental health, of course, but I want to share another way you can honor yourself. Try going to an infrared sauna. Unlike red light therapy, infrared penetrates deeper into muscles and joints. Some benefits include detoxification, better circulation, relaxation, and more.
February is often associated with expressing love outwardly, but the most important relationship you will ever nurture is the one you have with yourself. Being mindful of how you spend your time, creating routines that ground you, and learning how to enjoy your own company all play a role in building a healthier relationship with yourself. Practicing gratitude and prioritizing wellness are small choices that can create meaningful shifts over time.
The five practices shared here are simple ways to begin caring for yourself with intention in 2026 and beyond. Growth does not require perfection, only consistency and care.
If this piece resonated with you, I encourage you to stay connected with Our Quarterly Community. Through shared stories, thoughtful events, and creative spaces, OQC continues to cultivate connection and intentional living. Join the community, explore upcoming offerings, and allow this season to be one where you continue choosing yourself.
Post written by Jada Nicola
IG: Jadanicola4
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