I’m a huge fan of habits, as are most people, as are you. We run off of habits. They are our routine. They are our comfort zone. They are our priorities. Isn’t time to make you a priority? Self-love and self-appreciation does not come easy for some of us. Sometimes, we really need to work at being kind to ourself before it can truly become a habit. These are some habits you’ll want to develop to excel at life.

Believing in yourself.

Queue the fruitiest first line item. At the end of the day, it is not about achieving your dreams because so-and-so “always knew” you could do it. You have to value yourself as much as you would hope someone else to value you. By believing that you are capable of success and happiness, you are taking the sticker price off of who you are.

Taking care of your mental health.

The brain is a vital organ. Without it, you’re 6-feet under. In American culture, we are hyper-focused around physical health. However, it’s hard to get the rest of your ducks in a row, including your physical health, if your mental health is struggling. There are several effective ways to take care of your mental health. Here is a care idea you can do at home and here is one that requires a vast amount of humility with a huge pay-off.

Setting effective boundaries.

This is the pro version of learning how to say “no”. Boundaries can be scary to set, especially when you feel there’s a lot at stake (i.e. abandonment, no love, loneliness, etc.). However, boundaries can create bridges to wonderful relationships if done correctly and effectively reinstated. Boundaries are a necessary component to live a life that allows you to prosper. To cut your work in half, here is how to set boundaries in general. If you’re looking for a more specific situation, here is how to set boundaries in your romantic relationship and deepen your relationship. Here is how to set boundaries with your parents without ditching them and sounding like an ungrateful swine.

Enjoying your hobbies.

I know a lot of people where I ask what their hobbies are and they give me a blank stare. Hobbies have been shown in studies to increase your happiness. Find a couple that work for you. Instead of browsing through Instagram or Facebook, take an hour or two to tap into the joy of your hobby. Trust me, you’ll like it a lot better than stumbling upon another friend’s wedding album!

Spending time with loved ones.

As an introvert, I love spending some one-on-one time with myself. While alone time leaves time for reflection, it’s togetherness that heals. Spending time with the people you love (and who love you back) is a great way to curate appreciation for your life. Take time for friends and family alike. Be sure to minimize your time with those you feel are toxic to your life (like in this how-to here).

Minimizing toxicity.

As mentioned in the last point, it’s important to minimize the toxicity in your life. It’s hard to journey to self-love when others are filling you on how to hate yourself. Life is too short to live with people who spread negativity in your life. If you feel like you are in a situation that breeds hate, remove yourself. This includes people in your life, your job, and your living situation. Not sure where to start? Start here.

Building your success.

This comes in many different colors. Essentially, the rest of the points are building toward your success. Give yourself the best shot you can. You owe yourself that much. You can do this by working towards to straightening out your finances. Create a community built on honesty, love, and trust. Surround yourself in a work environment that is positive and helps you feel like you’re working towards a greater good. Take moments to document what you’re grateful for and the little day-to-day joys. Live in a place that makes you excited to be alive. Wear clothes that you feel like you can tackle the world in.