Like many of us, I found myself stuck indoors during the chaos of COVID-19. And while a few days wrapped in a blanket binge-watching series might sound dreamy, let’s be honest—boredom can sneak in fast. But instead of letting it win, I chose something better: to turn inward, to reflect, and to reconnect with myself. I took this unexpected stillness as an invitation to practice self-love in the most intentional, soul-nourishing ways.

One of the first things I did was write down five simple goals for the month. They didn’t have to be grand—they just needed to reflect where I was and what I needed. For me, that meant getting back to work after 14 days of self-isolation and helping ease the understaffing in my ward. It meant staying healthy in the middle of a pandemic, saving a little more and skipping unnecessary spending. It also meant remembering to pause, breathe, reflect, and to feed myself well—both in body and spirit. These little intentions became anchors during a time of uncertainty.

Next, I wrote down five daily affirmations and stuck them on my mirror. Words are powerful, especially when you start your day with them. I reminded myself each morning: God loves me. There are amazing things in my life—no matter how small, they are meaningful. My heart is open, and I radiate love. The universe supports me. My future is full of light, laughter, and beautiful surprises. Repeating those words gave me courage. They were soft echoes of strength when I needed to believe in better days.

Another deeply healing practice was writing a letter to my younger self—something inspired by @tinglymind’s open letter. In that quiet exchange with my past, I wrote: “To my younger self—when life feels like it’s choking the patience out of you, when you want everything all too soon, take this as your reminder: there will never be a perfect day. But every day is still a gift. Know that things are unfolding in their own miraculous way. I’m living proof—you made it. You survived. To the version of you crippled with fear, doubt, and uncertainty—know that nothing ever gets easier. But you? You get stronger. Your armor grows. Your heart toughens and softens in the best ways. You will bloom again.” Writing that felt like time-traveling—to hold my own hand and say, “I see you. I understand now.”

The universe supports me.

And then, I turned to joy. I listed ten things that make me happy. No filters, no frills—just truth. Acts of kindness. Eating my favorite food. Being with my loved ones. Doing what I love—writing, creating. Lighting a scented candle. A clean and cozy home. Long walks in nature. Watching the sunrise. Curating playlists. Growing little plant babies. These were the reminders that even in chaos, there are pockets of calm. Even in fear, there are flickers of joy.

In the end, I realized that self-love isn’t about grand gestures or spa days. It’s about choosing yourself in the little things—in the silence, in the boredom, in the quiet becoming. It’s about reminding yourself that your breath, your presence, and your healing all matter. So today, choose you. Show up for yourself. You deserve that kind of love—from the inside out.

With love, Anj 💛