Simple Self-Love Habits for When Life Is a Mess

Let’s be honest: self-love isn’t always bubble baths and perfectly color-coded journals. Sometimes, it’s eating a real meal even though the kitchen’s a mess. Sometimes, it’s letting yourself cry on the bathroom floor without judgment. Sometimes, it’s just pausing long enough to exhale.

When life is chaotic—when the laundry piles up, when the deadlines loom, when the emotions swirl—that is when self-love matters the most.

Here are five simple self-love habits you can lean on when everything feels like too much:

1. Name what’s real

Say it out loud: “This is a lot.” Giving language to your experience is a self-honoring act. You don’t need to downplay what you’re holding. Naming it is powerful.

2. Lower the bar (yes, really)

Self-love is making space for being human. Didn’t do your full routine? Made boxed mac and cheese again? Good. You showed up. Lower the bar and meet yourself where you are. It’s okay to not have 100% every single day. 

3. Choose softness over shame

Shame is loud when life feels messy. It’ll tell you you’re lazy or behind. Respond with softness: “I’m doing my best right now.” or “This is the best that I have to give today.” That’s love in action.

4. Touch something grounding

When chaos swirls, come back to the body. Splash cold water on your face. Breathe into your belly. Touch something real—a pet, a pillow, your chest. Put your feet in the grass and tilt your head towards the sun with your eyes closed. Grounding is self-love.

5. Let something be easy

Say yes to takeout. Skip the phone call. Wear your comfy clothes. Not everything has to be hard to be worthwhile.

Self-love in chaos isn’t about controlling the mess. It’s about loving yourself inside it.

You don’t have to fix it all. You just have to keep showing up for yourself.

Even when the world feels too loud. Even when you’re not “on your game.” Even here… in the messy middle, you are worthy of love.

If this post felt like a deep exhale… you’re not alone.
I talk even more about this in Episode 2 of my podcast: “How to Practice Self-Love When Life Feels Chaotic.”
It’s full of real talk, gentle reminders, and messy truth—because self-love isn’t always cute or calm.
🎧 Listen now → Click here