As cliche as it seems, in the month of February, love is in the air. But when was the last time you felt you really practiced any “self-love” habits? In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be so easy to compare yourself to others, to beat yourself up over minor mistakes at work, and to feel overwhelmed by all the roles you have to balance in your life. Do you take time to compliment yourself throughout the day? Do you celebrate your own accomplishments, big or small? Chances are, we could all use a brush-up on how to show ourselves the same love, care, and compassion we give to others. Below are 6 Habits of Self-Love Every Woman Should Adopt.

1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others: While being competitive isn’t always a bad thing, there’s a fine line between competition and comparing. While it may motivate us to better ourselves, constantly comparing ourselves to others can lead to negative thoughts. To stop the comparison habit, focus on bettering yourself and boosting your self-confidence. Working with a trusted therapist can be extremely beneficial to help you identify triggers and train your mind to step away from negative comparisons.

2. Acknowledge Your Worth Doesn’t Depend on Your Looks: For women especially, this is fundamental to practice self-love. So many things in this world, social media especially, affirm thoughts of inadequacy around body image. It is a powerful truth to recognize, for your mental health, that you are valuable because you are YOU, not because of your body or looks. This is a true step towards self-acceptance.

3. Let Go of Toxic People In Your Life: Protecting your energy is an important part of taking care of yourself. Ask yourself which people in your life add fulfillment and which leave you feeling drained. Remind yourself that it is not rude or wrong to remove yourself from situations or the company of people who drain your energy. If you find you cannot remove a toxic person completely, setting boundaries is essential and one of the ultimate forms of self-love.

4. Put Yourself First: This is another habit that can be especially difficult for women, as we are raised to be caregivers and always put others first. If you are a mom, you may also find this especially difficult. Women are socialized to address others’ needs before their own, leading to higher levels of burnout and feelings of overwhelm and resentment, which then leads to more passive-aggressive behavior in relationships.

Practice setting some self-care goals each week, and start small. If you’re a new mom, simply taking a non-rushed shower every day is a big goal! Self-care doesn’t always mean a big spa day, it can be as simple as journaling for 5 minutes at the end of the day or starting the day with a morning walk. If you are constantly saying “yes” to gatherings with friends for fear of missing out, the next time an invitation comes up, take time to respond and say, “I’ll get back to you.” That way, you give yourself time to think about if it’s something you really want to do. You may find yourself craving to be alone, getting fresh air, and wanting to spend time relaxing instead.

5. Exercise Boldness at Work: As young girls, we are raised to be passive in our communication as children. We are constantly expected to be passive in school, at work, with friends, and even with partners. Women are socialized from a young age to communicate passively, so any level of assertiveness can feel uncomfortable and aggressive instead of healthy and necessary.

Again, small goals are better and more achievable to start with. If you have a new idea you’d like to share with your boss, practice what to say beforehand and then set a meeting to express your ideas. You can also start by practicing boldness at home, as it may be easier to be bold with your family first. These habits will lead to greater self-esteem and more positive emotions toward yourself.

6. Speak Kindly to Yourself: The world is full of harsh words and critics - don’t let your voice be added to that mix. If you are struggling, ask yourself what you would tell your best friend going through what you are struggling with. You would talk to your friend encouragingly and with a positive attitude. Do the same for yourself. You’ve come so far, and you deserve to be spoken to with kindness.