What Self-Love Really Looks Like When You’re Living a Happy, Healthy, I’mperfect Life

Let me paint you a picture of a happy and healthy I’mperfect life.

No, not the one the internet sells you. Not the #blessed, filtered-to-death version. Not the “green smoothie at sunrise, abs by 9am, hustle all day, gratitude journal by moonlight” kind of perfect life.

I’m talking about your I’mperfect Life. The one where you’re living in alignment with what matters to you. Where self-love isn’t a bubble bath or a face mask (though those can be nice), but a daily commitment to show up for yourself—even when life feels messy.

So, what does self-love look like in a truly happy, healthy, perfectly I’mmperfect life?

It looks like…

1. Letting Your Jeans Decide the Day’s Agenda

Not in the sense that you’re letting your body size dictate your worth (hard pass on that), but if your jeans feel too tight and you decide not to punish yourself for it? That’s self-love. You swap them out for leggings, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and get on with your damn day.

2. Saying No Without Explaining Yourself

Self-love means setting boundaries—even if someone else doesn’t like them. You don’t say no with guilt. You say no with clarity. Because your time, your energy, and your peace matter more than people-pleasing.

3. Feeding Yourself Like You Matter

Yes, even if it’s frozen pizza. Even if it’s not organic. Even if it’s eaten on the couch with your fingers while watching reruns of Ted Lasso (hey, the Lasso Way is a form of self-care). Self-love is choosing nourishment without shame, and knowing your body deserves to be fed no matter what kind of day you’ve had.

4. Talking to Yourself Like You’d Talk to a Friend

You know that voice in your head that calls you lazy, gross, or not enough? Self-love means replacing her with a new one—the kind who says, “Hey, you’re okay. Doing good enough is always good enough.” You don’t have to go full Brene Brown on yourself, but you do need to stop being your own worst bully.

5. **Moving Your Body Because You Want To, Not Because You Hate It**

Self-love isn’t about punishing your body into thinness. It’s about using your body—walking, dancing, lifting, biking, stretching, napping (yes, naps count). Movement is a celebration, not a transaction.

6. Resting Without Earning It

This one’s a biggie. You don’t have to “get enough done” to deserve rest. Your worth isn’t in your productivity. If your body or mind is asking for a break, take one. Guilt-free. Nap like a toddler who’s been at the park all day.

7. Letting Go of the Damn Scale

You are not a number. You never were. If stepping on the scale messes with your mood, self-worth, or confidence—ditch it. Self-love means choosing peace over metrics.

8. Being Messy and Still Showing Up

Self-love is showing up for life, relationships, and responsibilities even when you feel like a hot freaking mess. It’s crying in the shower, then drying off and laughing with your kids. It’s dropping the ball, picking it back up, and forgiving yourself for being human.

9. Celebrating the Little Wins

Did you drink water today? Stretch for 30 seconds? Say something kind to yourself? That’s self-love in motion. You don’t need to run a marathon to be proud of yourself. You just need to notice your effort.

10. **Living Like Your Body Is Your Home, Not a Project**

This body—yes, even with the scars, the loose skin, the cellulite, the parts you’ve been taught to hide—is not a “before” picture. It’s your now. It carries you. It holds your heart, your memories, your laughter. Self-love is finally coming home to it.

Here’s the kicker:

Self-love doesn’t mean you always feel confident or glowing or empowered.

It means you treat yourself with respect and compassion anyway.

It means you stop waiting until you “have it all together” to be happy, to be healthy, to feel at peace. You just… start. In the body you’re in. With the life you have.

Your perfect life isn’t the one where everything’s fixed. It’s the one where you finally realize: you were never broken to begin with.

So what now?

Go drink some water. Text a friend. Say something nice to your reflection.

You’re already doing it. You’re already living your version of a perfectly imperfect life.

And honestly? That’s more than enough.

—
Andrea Matthes | I’mperfect Life™
Helping women love themselves more, care for their bodies better, and create sustainable habits for a happy, healthy life—no perfection required.