Kamie Crawford Shares Her Self-Love Journey and Tips for Prioritizing Self-Care in Daily Life

This Valentine’s Day, show yourself some extra love.

Kamie Crawford.Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

The stories we tell ourselves have immense power over our lives. They can make us feel like we’re on top of the world or carrying the weight of it alone. That’s why self-love is the ultimate key to a happy and fulfilled life. Self-love is all about accepting and cherishing who you are—the good, the bad and the awkward dance moves. It means celebrating your accomplishments and recognizing your strengths while being kind and forgiving when you mess up (because let’s be real, we all do!).

TV personality and SI Swimsuit model Kamie Crawford puts it perfectly, saying that self-love is “a practice that requires constant and consistent effort.” She adds, “There are little things we can do every day to remind ourselves that we are deserving of love. Whether it’s feeding our bodies with yummy foods, or our minds and spirits with something that sparks joy, self-love comes in so many different forms.” And let’s be clear: there’s no right or wrong way to go about it, just make sure that self-acceptance is at the root of it all.

With Valentine’s Day here, it’s easy to focus on showering love on your significant other or besties. But why not also take the opportunity to show yourself a little extra love and care? We chatted with Crawford to learn more about how she practices self-love in her own life, and how we can all treat ourselves with the same love and compassion as we would our BFF. Trust us—a little self-love can go a long way!

How do you prioritize self-care in your daily routine?

“I’m realizing as I get older how much having a routine plays into my self-care and overall mental health. Going to the gym regularly, not skipping out on my therapy sessions, and even emptying my email inbox are all forms of self-care for me. I have to make time for them because I know what the downward spiral is like when I don’t so that encourages me to stay consistent.”

Can you give an example of a time when you had to practice self-love and how you did it?

“Oftentimes throughout my life I’ve had to practice self-love by setting boundaries. I give a lot to other people but I’ve found that sometimes I over-give, even at the detriment of myself. Learning how to set boundaries was a part of the reason I started therapy in the first place. I had to realize that saying yes to others often means I’m saying no to myself and it changed everything for me.”

How do you handle negative self-talk or moments of self-doubt?

“Sometimes I literally tell myself, ‘Stop.’ It sounds so easy and cliche but while we can be our own biggest bully, we can also try to become our own biggest hero. I remind myself that I’m doing my absolute best and about how far I’ve come and that this is just a moment and it will pass.”

Have you incorporated any new habits for self-care lately?

“Recently I’ve started doing my skincare and makeup routines while listening to meditation music. Sometimes it’s nice to not listen to music with words and just be in the moment. I haven’t mastered the art of being still with my meditation yet, but I can still feel centered and productive through movement.”

Can you discuss a challenging experience you faced and how you used self-love and self-care to overcome it?

“At the end of 2021 I was going through a lot of changes, personally and professionally. I didn’t know where my life was going next and it was driving me insane. I really dove headfirst into therapy and fitness and I realized how much feeding my body and my spirit helped me along with my healing journey so that I could reach the point where I am now. I’m really proud of that!”

What are five of your favorite ways to practice self-care on the regular?

Cook/bake something

“The kitchen was never really my safe haven before but I’ve found so much peace and satisfaction in creating good food.”

Work out 

“Even 20-30 minutes of something is better than 20-30 minutes of nothing. The results are worth the effort.”

Order food delivery

“Sometimes you don’t want to DIY. Order in and indulge a little.”

Listen to meditation music 

“You don’t have to be a yogi master to listen to music that will make you feel grounded.”

Take time on your skincare routine

“Don’t rush through it. Use the good stuff. Make it a moment!”