If you’ve decided to get the helpful self-love gifts for friends, those special folks in your life who are doing their best to grow self-acceptance and self-love, than this is the place to be.
The Best 8 Self-Love Gifts For Friends Having A Hard Time With It (Or You)
In this post, I’ll mention several gifts that promote self-love and I’m sure you’ll find something unique for them that will suit their needs best. Considering you care for them and you know them well, you’ll have no trouble deciding on the perfect one(s).
Let’s start right away!
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Note: Although I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), engaging with this website does not establish a professional social worker-client relationship. The information provided here is for general purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we strive to ensure accuracy and reliability, this content is not a substitute for professional guidance. For specific concerns, issues, or situations, it is essential to consult a qualified professional and present your situation. Read the full Disclaimer here.
SELF-LOVE GIFTS FOR FRIENDS
#1 PROGRAM FOR GROWING SELF-LOVE AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE
If someone you care about, or yourself, is eager to find a way to positively contribute to the level of self-acceptance and obtain more self-love, consider a program dedicated specifically for this.
If you need recommendations for personal development gifts, you can check out my other posts:
You may find useful:
- Personal Development: What To Focus On, How To Build Skills, And Maximize Potential
- Where To Start With Personal Development: 7 Crucial Steps
- The Best Personal Development Resources (13) From Which You Can Immediately Start Benefiting
- What Personal Growth Platforms Can Do For Your Life
- Smart Personal Development Activities For Groups (23)
- Things To Buy For Self-improvement And Unlock Your Potential
- Top 10 Personal Development Products Unveiled
- Top 10 Things To Buy To Improve Your Life Drastically
#2 BOOKS SO YOUR FRIENDS CAN UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT SELF-LOVE
Books can help your friends who would use more self-love understand more about the nature of self-love as well as get insights about themselves because while they’re reading they’re getting a chance to reflect on their situation and uncover what is true for them.
Sometimes we are very strict with ourselves which makes us judgemental of out desires, needs, dreams, as well as mistakes.
When it’s like this, we can’t really differentiate “right” from “wrong” which is why we might be keeping ourselves restricted from many things in life that bring us joy and prosperity.
So when we start understandung more that our perspective on things matters, that we can define what’s true for us and want isn’t, we can break free from expectations that come outside of us that don’t matter most of the time.
Then we can accept ourselves as we are and grow love for ourselves no matter what happened in the past or is happening right now.
Let’s mention some books you might find to be great gifts that promote self-love.
1. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
This book guides the reader towards releasing the imposed definitions of the imperfect life and embracing living authentically.
The famous author, an LCSW, praises authenticity because of its ability to lead us to establish a practice perfectly imperfect life we need.
Anyone can relate to this, considering we’re all fighting those battles with others or within us.
2. Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself
In this book a psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff provides a step-by-step guide on how to be more self-compassionate and reach our dreams, because the terrorising chase of high self-esteem has become a virtual religion.
The present culture of excessive competitiveness tricks us into believing we have to be above average at all times if we want to be allowed to value ourselves, but as there is always someone better than us at something, it’s clear that this is unrealistic and that we’re in a vicious cycle.
There is an alternative to self-esteem that many experts believe is a healthier and more effective path to fulfilment abd that’s self-compassion.
Dr. Kristin Neff’s research shows that people who are compassionate toward themselves when they fail and face their imperfections experience greater well-being than those who repeatedly judge themselves. As the feelings of self-worth provided by self-compassion are stable, they provide support when self-esteem sinks. And it’s ok that this happens, of course.
3. Self-Love Poetry Book
In Self Love Poetry, the author explores concepts such as:
- authenticity,
- surrender,
- resilience,
- gratitude,
- believing in yourself, and
- love through 100 pairs of poems, each dedicated to self-love.
This would be a lovely and thoughtful gift for someone who understands the benefits of self-love and wants to enrich their life with quality content and it’s a gentle present at the same time.
If you need more Self-love books to choose from, read my post:
Related:
#3 SELF-LOVE WORKBOOKS TO PUT THEIR NEW KNOWLEDGE INTO PERSONAL CONTEXT AND TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION
Workbooks are a great resource to do exactly that, considering they can hold us accountable and can be very reflective, as they need to open many different questions in their life. This means that if you they a trained professional to guide you with the prompts of the resource, the chances to succeed and witness life quality improved are higher.
Let’s see some examples to inspire you:
Paid link: Self-Love Workbook for Women: Release Self-Doubt, Build Self-Compassion, and Embrace Who You Are (Self-Love Workbook and Journal)
Embrace who you are with this guided self-love book for women of any age and any background. You’ll embark on your journey of self-discovery by learning what self-love is, and then immersing yourself in exercises to help you build your self-esteem and improve or elevate your relationships.
This very successful self-Love workbook created by a fellow Megan Logan, LCSW is designed with a clear intention to empower women on their journey of self-discovery and self-love.
The self-love workbooks typically include exercises, prompts, and activities that encourage self-reflection, self-compassion, and self-care, in addition to practical tools and strategies for setting boundaries, managing stress and anxiety, and cultivating healthier habits.
By getting a self-love workbook, you’re benefiting from a valuable resource that can empower you to take control of your mental and emotional health, develop a more positive and compassionate relationship with yourself, and in the end, improve your overall well-being.
I’ve collected a few helpful Self-Love Workbooks in my post: The Best Self-Love Workbooks To Help You Finally Break Free From Self-judgement Through Self-Compassion And Self-Acceptance.
You may want to also check out alternatively (or combine the 2 workbooks):
Paid link: Self-Love Workbook for Black Women: Empowering Exercises to Build Self-Compassion and Nurture Your True Self (Self-Love Workbook and Journal)
As an African American woman, juggling many roles can leave little time for self-care. With this in mind, here’s an empowering self-love and self-care workbook designed to help you prioritize your joy, healing, and growth, with affirmations and exercises that nurture your authentic self.
Embrace self-love, build inner peace, and cultivate confidence while exploring themes of self-compassion and community.
Self-Love Workbook for Men: Recognize Your Worth, Build Self-Confidence, Overcome Self-Doubt, and Embrace Who You Are
Self-Love Workbook for Men offers a solution for building self-confidence from the inside out instead of chasing external validation through sex, money, and power.
As well as for growing a stronger sense of self-worth without feeling shame.
It will teach them how to be more compassionate (towards themselves and others) so that they can experience true fulfilment in their life without having to focus on material things.
Other benefits they can expect from this audiobook:
- Build a new, healthy view of masculinity that ‘s suitable for them
- Support to explore without shame or judgment from others
- Get out of the cycle of self-loathing and depression
- Understand how to love themselves and be proud of themselves
- Feel more confident in their skin
- Learn to embrace flaws and find what makes them special
- Feel empowered to make the changes they need and want in their life.
The Self-Love Workbook: A Life-Changing Guide to Boost Self-Esteem, Recognize Your Worth and Find Genuine Happiness
This helpful workbook will help your friends who need more self-love raise awareness of their unique needs and goals while discovering how to accept and love themselves.
It includes a variety of actionable tips exercises:
- Interactive Activities
exploring a variety of creative ways to love themselves - Reflection Prompts
unpacking their experiences and connecting them to new lessons - Helpful Advice
deepen their understanding of self-love and utilize it in the real world
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive
This science-based workbook offers a step-by-step to breaking free of harsh self-judging and impossible standards in order to experience emotional well-being.
It is based on the authors’ groundbreaking 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, which has helped tens of thousands of people worldwide.
It includes:
- guided meditations with audio downloads
- informal practices to do anytime and anywhere
- exercises, and
- vivid stories of people using the techniques to respond to relationship stress, health concerns, anxiety, weight and body image issues, and other common challenges.
Love Yourself, Heal Your Life Workbook by Louise Hay
You probably already are familiar with Louise Hay, the bestselling author of 30+ books created for empowering individuals.
This interactive workbook applies Louise Hays techniques of self-love and positive mindset to a wide range of topics that influence us daily, such as:
- Fears
- Health
- Addictive Behavior
- Self-Esteem
- Money and Prosperity
- Friendship
- Work
- Intimacy, and more.
If you’re interested in self-love workbooks I have a blog post that includes 5 more self-love workbooks in addition to these 5 I’ve just listed.
Here is the link to that blog post:
#4 OR SELF-LOVE JOURNALS TO PUT THEIR NEW KNOWLEDGE INTO PERSONAL CONTEXT AND TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION
Self-love journals are thoughtful self-love gifts that encourage reflection, mindfulness, and personal growth. They help grow self-awareness while showing you care about the recipient’s emotional well-being. We can go through few of them.
Paid link: SELF-LOVE JOURNAL FOR WOMEN: Prompts and Practices for Your Journey to Self-Worth, Self-Care, and Self-Acceptance (Workbook and Journal)
Self-love journals often include prompts for self-care activities and practices. By prioritizing self-care and making it a regular part of their routine, your gift recipient can nurture their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This Self-Love journal includes prompts and practices for taking a path of self-worth, self-care, and self-acceptance.
Through this type of journaling, they can practice self-compassion by treating themselves with kindness, understanding, and acceptance. This self-compassion is essential for healing and growth, as it allows them to embrace their worthiness.
Women everywhere encounter unrealistic societal expectations that lead to feelings of overwhelm and discontent with themselves. However, discovering the path to self-love and embracing their uniqueness can significantly alter your person’s perspective on life, and this guided journal is designed for just that.
Paid link: The 5-Minute Self-Care Journal for Women: Prompts, Practices, and Affirmations to Prioritize You
This journal offers quick and easy self-care practices for your person to meet their needs amidst a busy life.
It stands out with 150 uplifting prompts promoting growth mindset, mindfulness, and positive intentions.
They’ll neet to spend just 5 minutes on self-care with its effortless questions, affirmations, and actions.
Plus, its user-friendly design makes reflection recording enjoyable.
Paid link: Self-Love Journal for Teen Girls: Prompts and Practices to Inspire Confidence and Celebrate You
Start the new year by encouraging the teen girls in your life to embrace self-love and confidence.
The Self-Love Journal for Teen Girls offers affirmations, reflective prompts, and creative activities that help them understand their emotions and celebrate their uniqueness.
With uplifting quotes and practical exercises, it’s a powerful tool for fostering self-awareness, self-worth, and self-care.
Paid link: A Year of Self-Care: Daily Practices and Inspiration for Caring for Yourself (A Year of Daily Reflections)
This is a 12-week anxiety and self care journal that will help your gift recipient process what’s occupying their mind and gently re-frame their thoughts, so they can manage their worries before spiralling out of control. This could potentially help them if they are feeling anxious even to start self-exploration.
It was designed to meet them where they are and guide them to developing a practice of dedicating a few minutes a day to reflect on their thoughts, detect the sources of anxiety, and prioritize their overall wellness and mental health. This is dedicating a few minutes to themselves they really need.
It has:
- Daily Journaling Pages
- Self-Care Ideas
- Therapy Reflections
- Emotional Support Cheat Sheet
- Fear-Setting Exercises
- Habit Trackers
- Monthly Progress
If you want to choose from more self-love journals, read my post: THE BEST 14 SELF-LOVE JOURNALS TO BREAK FREE FROM UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS.
You can also consider a self-care box subscription.
#5 SELF-CARE SUBSCRIPTION BOX
Give them a subscription to a self-care box service that delivers a curated selection of wellness products, therapeutic resources, skincare items, bath products, candles, and healthy products, to their doorstep each month.
By receiving these resources regularly, they are reminded to prioritize their self-care and are provided with ongoing support and inspiration for their healing journey. Additionally, the convenience of having curated self-care items delivered to their doorstep can make it easier for them to incorporate self-care practices into their daily routines, ultimately contributing to their resilience and strength.
Check out also:
Paid link: SELF-CARE ACTIVITIES FOR WOMEN: 101 PRACTICAL WAYS TO SLOW DOWN AND RECONNECT WITH YOURSELF
Prioritizing well-being is crucial, especially for women who often/usually prioritize others.
“Self-Care Activities for Women” offers a variety of ways to relax and find joy, covering emotional, mental, physical, social, and professional care.
With 101 simple activities, from creating a joy playlist to cooking a healthy meal, this book encourages making time for ourselves and cultivating a habit of self-check-ins.
#6 A JOURNAL TO HELP YOUR FRIENDS SELF-REFLECT OR USE ALONGSIDE OTHER PERSONAL GROWTH RESOURCES/PROGRAMS
Journals can be used as a guided resource if they have prompts in them. In this case, we’re all about those and they will be a great gift dedicated to fostering self-love that your friends can quickly benefit from. Or you can get your special someone a journal with no prompts if they’ve already started with some program, therapy, or coaching to help them on their journey.
Here I’ll mention journals that have prompts.
SHOW UP FOR YOURSELF – GRATITUDE JOURNAL
If your gift recipient would benefit from transforming their daily routine with the power of gratitude, scientifically proven to produce a number of benefits to physical and mental health, such as better sleep, improved mood and a boosted immune system, consider buying them the Show Up For Yourself Gratitude Journal.
They can experience more fulfillment and tranquility as they’re guided through six months of self-discovery, getting an opportunity each day to cultivate a higher level of positivity and reduce stress. And indulge in daily reflections featuring morning and evening sections to start and end their day on a positive note.
By regularly noting down things to be grateful for, anyone can begin shifting attitude from self-criticism to self-appreciation. Additionally, prompts within the journal can invite to acknowledge strengths, accomplishments, and moments of personal growth, reinforcing a sense of self-worth.
Conveniently, this journal’s undated pages ensure they can pick up right where they left off, fostering consistency without pressure.
THE 1% BETTER EVERY DAY JOURNAL
In case your gift recipient is on a mission to become the aspired version of themselves they could consider The 1% Journal.
This journal isn’t a notebook; they can commit to looking at it as their personal development accountability partner in paper form. And rely on it to guide them through morning and nightly routines carefully with an aim to transform their life over the course of 140 days.
Inside The 1% Journal, they’ll find:
- 20 weeks of self-improvement: Tackle exercises and reflections that will push them to grow, one day at a time.
- Daily doses of inspiration: Quotes that will fire them up and keep them motivated when the going gets tough.
- Weekly reflections: Review their progress, celebrate their wins, and course-correct where needed.
- Long-term goal planning: Map out dreams and create a roadmap to turn them into reality.
- Daily productivity goals: Focus on achievable tasks that will uplevel their efficiency and make every day count.
52-Week Mental Health Journal: Guided Prompts and Self-Reflection to Reduce Stress and Improve Wellbeing
This is a year-long Mental Health Journal designed to aid your person in navigating the core pillars of good mental health so they can thrive in all areas of your life:
- calm and resiliency,
- connection and engagement,
- goals and purpose, and
- healthy living.
It can help them with being more attentive to their emotional needs, improving their mood, and defining the right goals for themselves.
A 52-week mental health journal includes:
- Quick and effective prompts to use for a few minutes each day
- Evidence-based methods transformed into exercises and research-supported techniques (For example, from cognitive behavioral therapy.)
- Inspirational quotes of wisdom from philosophers, artists, writers, and others.
TRUE YOU: A SELF-DISCOVERY JOURNAL OF PROMPTS AND EXERCISES TO INSPIRE REFLECTION AND GROWTH
If you want your friends to learn more about themselves, then this journal will be a good fit.
That’s because it’s designed to help them self-reflect to get meaningful personal insights by exploring:
- identity and emotions,
- their relationships, and
- recognize the values they want to live their life by, as well as their passions and life purpose.
It has 15 organized themed sections and is focused on guiding them to:
- Challenge their limiting beliefs so that they can accomplish what you desire.
- Get inspired with motivational quotes and insightful prompts and practices.
- Celebrate their true selves.
THE COMPLETE SHADOW WORK WORKBOOK & JOURNAL: EXERCISES AND PROMPTS TO PRIORITIZE YOUR WELL-BEING AND HEAL OLD WOUNDS
Shadow work involves exploring and embracing the parts of ourselves that we often suppress or deny, including our fears, insecurities, and unresolved emotions. Through this process, we learn to accept and integrate all aspects of ourselves, leading to a deeper sense of self-love and acceptance.
Help your friend cnfront thrir fears and initiate healing with this comprehensive guide to shadow work, which includes reflective tasks and in-depth journaling prompts. The shadow mind houses unconscious elements like fear, shame, and trauma.
And engaging in shadow work entails acknowledging and embracing this aspect of ourselves, thereby dismantling limiting beliefs.
This journal and workbook offer strategies to delve into the shadow mind, growing self-awareness and facilitating healing. With an introduction to shadow work, exercises, and expert guidance, this resource equips your person to take a path of true self-discovery and transformation.
SOUL THERAPY: A 365 DAY JOURNAL FOR SELF-EXPLORATION, HEALING AND REFLECTION
Soul Therapy is a daily, guided journal intended to guide your friends in self-exploration, reflection, and healing.
It’s a great resource that will support them with:
- Creating the positive helpful journaling habit.
- Including daily reflection to stay grounded.
- Healing.
- Slowing down.
- Observing themselves from a new perspective.
- Getting in touch with their true selves more.
It features 365 days of thought-provoking prompts, inspirational quotes, open-ended provoking questions, and motivational soul food with a lot of room for entries.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
GET UNTAMED: THE JOURNAL (HOW TO QUIT PLEASING AND START LIVING)
This journal features a different way of journaling that reveals how we can stop focusing on meeting the famous expectations of others, as this gets us nowhere in life.
At least not where we truly desire to be.
Once we realize that satisfying those demands is useless and impossible, we can give up on trying to please, liberate ourselves, and start living a life on our own terms.
This journal will lead your self-love seeking friends or you to rediscover or begin to trust the inner voice and guidance.
If you get them this journal, inside they’ll find:
- thought-provoking exercises,
- beloved quotations from Untamed (New York Times Bestseller),
- compelling illustrations
- playful and meditative coloring pages,
- guidance through the process of examining the aspects of life that can make them feel enslaved.
This revolutionary method for uprooting culturally constructed ideas shows us how to uncover what we want to stick to and what we’ll make disappear from our reality so that we can build lives good enough for us.
Additionally, if you’re interested in checking out more ideas on journals read my blog post:
Related:
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#7 AFFIRMATIONAL SELF-LOVE CARDS
For someone who finds it difficult to see their own worth, receiving affirmational cards can provide a much-needed boost of encouragement and validation.
Self-love affirmational cards are easy to carry around or display in visible places like desks or mirrors to serve as constant reminders of self-worth and love. Let’s mention some of these card decks.
How to Love Yourself Cards: Self-Love Cards with 64 Positive Affirmations for Daily Wisdom and Inspiration
This is another resource from Louise Hay. And it’s a deck of 64 Affirmations by Louise Hay is super-convenient to place in their home, office, car, or anywhere clearly visible to look at them regularly and strengthen love for themselves.
They’re perfect for your friends or family members who are on the path of greater self-acceptance and self-love, to use as affirmations and meditating practice.
Women: Beautifully Illustrated Inspirational Cards with Positive Affirmations to Help with Gratitude, Mindfulness, Daily Encouragement and Self Care
This is a set of 62 affirmation cards featuring original artwork by Casey Wiegand and hand lettered quotes to motivate and encourage.
She has combined her love of art with her inspiring words to create this set of cards which are uplifting and a reminder of the beauty within ourselves that every person possesses.
Your friend can use them as artwork in their home, or takes them with them throughout the day for positivity.
This affirmation deck would make the lovely gift for them to nurture themselves.
Each one of these cards can build a routine around affirmation.
#8 SELF-LOVE GAMES
Games provide an interactive and engaging way to learn about self-love. They make the process of self-discovery and self-compassion enjoyable and less intimidating.
These games tend to include exercises and activities designed to boost self-esteem and self-compassion. Your friend can actively practice self-love through these games.
Self-Love Games & Activities: 125 Word Searches, Mazes, & Games to Boost Your Happiness, Resilience, & Well-Being (Puzzle Therapy)
Each page in Self-Love Games & Activities features engaging exercises requiring minimal preparation to activate your mind, enjoy leisure moments, or simply unwind.
Turn to any page find a variety of puzzles, games, and activities such as word searches, writing prompts, crosswords, coloring pages, and more – all crafted to enhance self-discovery and bolster self-love.
You can experience not just enjoyment but also a positive boost in self-esteem with every session.
Self-Love Vibes: A Positive Motivational Word Search Book with Affirmations for Calming and Relaxing Adults
Self-love vibes is focused on positivity and self-affirmation crafted for teens and adults seeking relaxation and inspiration. It is designed to be a companion on a journey toward cultivating self-love, positivity, and tranquility.
This book offers a blend of relaxing affirmations, 100 puzzles with solutions, and makes an ideal gift for various occasions.
Share the gift of self-love with loved ones, making it a thoughtful present for a wide range of recipients.
Additionally, the book serves as a great tool for language learning by enhancing vocabulary.
TableTopics – Do It Yourself Therapy 135 Questions for Self-Love & Deep Topics to Help New Thoughts
This engaging conversation set may be ideal for gaining self-clarity and a fresh perspective on your past.
You can explore the enduring influence of maternal wisdom in “Maternal Legacy” by sharing amusing anecdotes about family traditions.
Or delve into humorous “High Maintenance Tales,” celebrating the quirks that make you uniquely you.
Or imagine your child’s perspective with lighthearted stories, uncovering their unexpected viewpoints.
It’s great for sharing positive vibes with friends through lively questions that promote self-reflection and humor.
If you need more self-love games for adults to choose from, check out my post:
You may also be interested in reading:
OTHER SELF-LOVE RESOURCES
Self-love resources are tools, materials, or support systems designed to help you develop a positive relationship with yourself by learning about yourself and knowing yourself better, enhancing self-esteem, and cultivating a sense of self-worth.
I have several blog posts that feature different self-love resources that you can check out:
- THE BEST BOOKS FOR SELF-LOVE AND HEALING (19) FOR UNLEASHING SELF-LOVE
- THE BEST 14 SELF-LOVE JOURNALS TO BREAK FREE FROM UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS
- THE BEST 12 SELF-LOVE WORKBOOKS FOR BREAKING FREE FROM SELF-JUDGEMENT THROUGH SELF-COMPASSION AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE
- 7 SELF-LOVE JOURNALS FOR WOMEN (TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE THROUGH EMPOWERMENT)
- 11 SELF-LOVE POETRY BOOKS: LOVE, LINE BY LINE THROUGH POETIC PROSE
- 9 SELF-LOVE GAMES FOR ADULTS TO TRY AND POWER-UP YOUR WELL-BEING
- THE BEST SELF-ESTEEM JOURNALS AND WORKBOOKS FOR ADULTS (7) TO TRANSFORM SELF-PERCEPTION
- SELF-LOVE THINGS TO BUY FOR ADULTS ONLINE (13) TO ELEVATE LOVE FOR YOURSELF
- GOOD SELF-LOVE GIFTS: 12 GIFT IDEAS FOR SOUL NOURISHING
Recommended Resources For You:
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FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE SELF-LOVE GIFTS FOR FRIENDS
And there goes our list of the self-love gifts for friends that will show them how much you care about them and their well-being.
Or you can show it to yourself. Why not reward ourselves from time to time (or regularly!)?!
If you liked the list, spread the word about it!
See you in my next post! Here is one:
Thanks so much for the wonderful recommendations! Journals and workbooks seem like a great choice!
I’m glad you liked them! Thanks for your feedback 🙂