“Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” – Lucille Ball
You can. And you will. Stop being so hard on yourself!
What is self-love?
Self-love means that your needs matter just as much as anyone else’s, which gives you the opportunity to live your life with purpose. Self-love is not a selfish thing. It means you love yourself enough to take care of your needs first. You do not let others’ opinions and expectations dictate how you feel about yourself and you refuse to undermine your own self-worth in order to please someone else.
Why do we need self-love?
It is easy for us to believe we need to put others before ourselves and sacrifice our needs for theirs. Self-love is different from being selfish because it includes caring for your own physical, psychological and spiritual well-being. When you have self-love, you will be more able to unlock your purpose because you won't need approval from others or cling onto toxic relationships. It can be tough at first but start with something small like going on a walk each day that gets easier over time.
How do I love myself?
I eat a well-balanced diet and make sure I don't skip breakfast.
Exercise has been an important part of my life for years and it's never a chore because of how it makes me feel mentally, physically, and spiritually after a good sweat session.
Connecting with myself helps me remember who I am as an individual so that my purpose can be unique and developed in response to what I want out of life rather than living vicariously through others.
I sleep at least eight hours every night, giving my body time to repair and regenerate itself from the stress of a long day.
Regularly give myself permission to indulge in activities that are meaningful to me whether that is exploring new hobbies or making time for friends and family.
Practice self-compassion by being mindful about things like saying no when I need space or setting boundaries when someone is mistreating me.
Addressing self-criticism
One of the most important parts of your journey is accepting that self-criticism is a deeply rooted human flaw.
To cultivate self-love and unlock your purpose, start by giving yourself the space and time you need to work on your well-being. In this way, you are setting yourself up for growth. Second, start thinking about what it means to take care of yourself. It may be hard at first but if you keep reminding yourself that by taking care of your own needs you're also serving other people in your life, it will get easier over time. Third, tell yourself positive things like: I am good enough or Today I choose joy.
When practicing self-love try not compare yourself with others too much as this leads to guilt, anger and jealousy which won't help anyone's mental health in the long run.
Balancing self-confidence with humility
It's easy to get a big head and believe you are invincible but balance that with humility. Ask yourself if what you're asking for from other people is more important than asking for it from yourself. It might be helpful to keep in mind that everything you have done and accomplished up until this point has been due largely in part because of your efforts, regardless of whether or not someone else was able to help you do so.
Getting started with loving yourself
Find what nurtures your heart and soul - that might be going for a walk in nature or spending time with friends and family. Finally, take time to take care of your spiritual side by practicing gratitude daily or reading self-help books. It can be challenging at first, but try it - compliment yourself each day and spend some time doing things you enjoy. See what unfolds as a result of loving yourself. Treating yourself with love will empower you as well as attract positive people and circumstances into your life!
