Put them in a bowl. I like incorporating crystals into my living decor. An easy way to make a beautiful display is to place them in a bowl (or half a coconut like I did above). Set the bowl on your coffee table, a mantle, or anywhere you'll see them and be inspired. 

Make a crystal grid. Crystal grids make for a great manifestation tool. Some tips:

• Decide on your intention and write it on a piece of paper. What is your purpose for this grid? What would you like to manifest? 
  
• Create a sacred space to set up your grid. Add ambiance with music, candles, incense, flowers, small trinkets that hold meaning for you, photos that represent your intentions. 
  
• Gather your favorite crystals or those that will most aid you in your manifestation and place them in a geometric pattern (Google "crystal grid templates" or try this blessings and health grid). 
  
• Relax, envision your desire as if it has already happened. Hold that feeling.
  
• Meditate as long as you need, then say a prayer of gratitude.
  

Wear them around your neck. Keep your crystal's healing properties close to your heart. I wear pyrite to boost my creativity and facilitate lung healing. I also have a beautiful amethyst necklace I bought in Mexico that I wear to dispel anxiety and negativity. The rose quartz above is perfect for boosting self-love.

Place them by your computer or work station. Fluorite helps protect against computer emanations. I keep a piece of rough quartz and petrified wood (straight from my yard!) next to my computer. I don't know why, but the combination feels right. And when I found the piece of petrified wood I immediately felt calmer, braver, more productive. When I looked up its healing properties, sure enough, the stone facilitates strength and calmness.

Sleep with them. Tuck yourself in with a pouch of lavender buds and a few crystals under your pillow for a peaceful night's sleep. Use amethyst for sweet dreams and sodalite for its soothing qualities. 

Carry them in your purse. Take your favorite crystal with you wherever you go. If you'd like a little extra moola in your wallet, tote citrine for prosperity and tiger's eye for good luck.

Make faery water. Place clear quartz, flowers, and sliced fruit inside a pitcher of water. Let sit for a day then enjoy a healing cuppa.

After my last big breakup in 2009 I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I'd been in relationships for many years with little to no solo time between each. In all of those relationships I was insecure, had very low self-esteem, and didn't trust my partner. I was afraid of losing the other person to someone better, someone who wasn't me, so I gripped and tried to control and lost myself along the way. 

When the person I thought I'd marry said, "It's not going to work," I knew I needed to take time for myself. No more jumping into relationships for the sake of validation or fear of being alone. What I needed was a good dose of self-love and to know that I could be happy without a partner.

So I dove into learning about what I wanted, not just in a partner, but in life. I took time to get to know me and why I had such low self-worth. I promised myself I wouldn't get back into dating until I had healed from the inside out. 

Although self-love can include pampering sessions and much needed "me" time, it's so much more than that. And it's especially important after cutting ties with someone we love. Whether you're single and learning to love yourself more or in a committed relationship and just need a loving boost, here are some ways to practice deep self-love.

Listen to your mind, body, and soul. 
Do you follow the crowd to keep the peace? Do things you don't want to do because it makes others happy? Sure, relationships are about give and take, but if you're always giving how can you receive what nourishes you? Self-love is about listening to your deep needs and wants and standing firm in those desires. Speak up for what you want. Don't skirt around the issue. Sometimes relationships fail because we're afraid of voicing what it is we really need. Give yourself an equal balance of giving and receiving.

Just be you.
This includes wearing what you want to wear, listening to the music you like, decorating your space however you please. Self-love does not mean you compare yourself to others, try to impress anyone by doing things that are uncomfortable, or beating yourself up because you have brown hair and thick hips instead of black hair and tan thighs. You are unique, beautiful, enough. Your quirks and scars are admirable. And I can guarantee you there is someone out there who wishes they were you! On my self-love journey I've learned that I'm most beautiful when I'm being myself. So own your unique beauty and preferences and personality.

Move forward.
You are not who you used to be and your past does not define you, so stop shoulda, coulda, woulda-ing. Self-love means moving forward with who you want to be and creating a life you love. Leave the past at the doorstep and walk into a bright, new future.

Heal from the inside out.
You have everything you need within you: all the love, adoration, and happiness you require. But to access this you must get in touch with your higher self and leave ego behind. Ego believes you're defined by what you achieve. It's concerned with power, comparison, and winning. Your higher self is aware of who you really are and all the power you hold. This is where healing and infinite possibility begins.

When you give your higher self a chance to participate in your life, you start dreaming bigger. Self-love is all about allowing yourself to dream bold dreams without judgement and without placing limitations on yourself. It means giving yourself the chance to choose what kind of life you want to live, the experiences you want to have, the people you want in your life. You don't need permission or approving nods from anyone but you.

Allow yourself to grow.
Self-love, like most things in life, is a journey and we're bound to hit a few bumps in the road. That's okay! It's a part of this human experience. Mistakes allow us to learn and grow; some people say they're the best teachers. So give yourself the opportunity to make mistakes. Push up through the dirt and raise your eyes to the sky. 

Daily self care is so, so important when it comes to keeping the balance and moving through life with grace and ease. Busy schedules, kids, school, careers, pursuing dreams, even making dinner can add stress to our already hectic lives. Setting up a few rituals throughout the day will not only ground you and ease tension, it will enrich your life.

A few suggestions on how to add self-care rituals to your morning, noon, and night:

Morning Rituals

☕ Because your body loses water while you sleep, drink a glass of water or warm water with lemon before anything else. Drinking H2O first thing gets the metabolism going and acts as a gentle detox. Plus, water's great for you and the more you drink, the better you'll look and feel.

☕ Scratch out a few morning pages in your journal. Write down the dream you had, what you plan for the day, how you're feeling, unresolved issues, or if all else fails, "I don't know what to write," over and over again. Chances are, once you start writing you'll find you have something to say. I like morning pages because it empties my mind of any junk lingering around and helps me prioritize daily activities. 

☕ Get a move on, whether that's stretching in bed before you hop out, taking a brisk walk around the block, or practicing a yoga routine. Body movement keeps us in tip top shape physically and mentally. The great thing about exercising in the morning is that you don't have to worry about squeezing it in later in the day. I love a morning yoga session for a good stretch and a clear mind.

☕ Before jumping (or slogging) out of bed, imagine what kind of day you'd like to have. Visually create it and if you'd like, say an affirmation or post a note next to your bed that says, "Something magical is about to happen."

Afternoon Rituals

☀ If you're at work for 8+ hours a day, make time to stretch, move about the office, and take a breather. Set an alarm to go off every hour to remind you to do a few simple stretches at your desk or walk to the water cooler. To minimize computer screen eye strain, close your eyes for 30 seconds as you take a deep breath in and slowly exhale. Do that a few times throughout the day, as well as roll your neck to prevent cramps.

☀ Eat a healthy snack to keep you powered throughout the day. Some of my favorites: yogurt with berries, a piece of fruit and unsalted nuts, dried mangoes, peanut butter on toast or celery, hummus and veggies.

☀ Throughout the day you may fall victim to the comparison game. You know the one. You log on to read your favorite blogs or check your Facebook timeline and see all the amazing things people are doing and start feeling a wee bit bad about your own life. Lame! Instead, write down what makes you unique and things you're proud of. Create your own "highlight reel." I've started a monthly highlight page in my daily planner and I write down cool things that happened and things I accomplished throughout the month. At the end of the year I can look back and see all the amazing stuff that took place.

Evening Rituals

🌙  Avoid screen time (tv, computer, phone, tablet) right before bed as it stimulates the mind. Instead, signal winding down time with a bath and your favorite scented candle or by reading a book. Once you've done it a few times, your body will ease into the ritual and help you fall asleep faster and more soundly. 

🌙 Use evening time to write out your gratitude list. It can include things that happened throughout the day, something inspiring you read or heard, and all those amazing everyday things like cuddles with your fur baby, clean water, Jasmine tea.

🌙 Want to practice manifestation? Use the time right before you drift off to sleep to visualize a desire. How will you feel when it comes true? What will it look like? Live the dream in your imagination and your subconscious will start working on how to make it happen.