Self-Love: Loving Yourself
Self-love is when you treat yourself really well, like how you would treat a close friend.
It means understanding that you are important and worthy of kindness. But what exactly is self-love, and how can we start this journey to feeling happier and more fulfilled?
Please Allow me to Explain…
So, start with this question
What is Self-Love?
Self-love means accepting and embracing who I am, with all my strengths and weaknesses. It’s about knowing myself — what I want to do, my thoughts about life, my dreams and my expectations for myself.
Just like in the movie “Jab We Met,” Karina Kapoor says, “Main apni favourite hoon” (I am my own favourite), it’s like being your own favourite person.
You deserve care, attention, and respect just like everyone else. Self-love isn’t selfish — it’s the starting point for a life full of happiness, joy, and strength.
How to Begin the Self-Love Journey
Starting to love yourself is personal and takes some gentle steps:
Know Yourself: First think first, Take moments to check in with your feelings and thoughts. You can do this through things like quiet time, writing in a journal, or just sitting peacefully.
Be Kind to Yourself: When things get tough, talk to yourself like you would to a friend who needs support. Replace harsh self-criticism with understanding and kindness.
Set Healthy Limits: It’s okay to say no to things that make you feel bad or tired. Take care of yourself by putting your needs first.
Do Things You Love: Make time for activities that make you happy and relaxed. It could be anything from taking a bath to going for a walk in nature.
Challenge Negative Thoughts: If you catch yourself thinking bad things about yourself, challenge those thoughts. Replace them with positive words that remind you of your worth.
The Good Stuff About Self-Love
Loving yourself brings so many good things into your life:
Feeling Better Inside and Out: When you practice self-love, you naturally feel better emotionally, mentally, and physically. You become more aware of what you need to stay healthy and happy.
Being Stronger: Self-love gives you the strength to face tough times. You trust yourself more and know you can handle whatever comes your way.
Real Connections: When you accept and love yourself, you attract people who truly care about you. Your relationships become deeper and more meaningful.
Feeling Empowered: Self-love helps you step into your true self and go after your dreams. You become more confident and see challenges as opportunities to grow.
Misunderstandings About Self-Love
There are a few things people might get wrong about self-love:
It’s Not Selfish: Some think loving yourself means only thinking about yourself. But it’s actually the opposite — you need to care for yourself first to be able to care for others.
It’s Not Being Arrogant: Self-love isn’t about being full of yourself. It’s about accepting who you are, strengths and weaknesses included.
It Doesn’t Mean Being Perfect: Self-love isn’t about being perfect — it’s about loving yourself despite your imperfections. It’s about being kind to yourself, even when things don’t go perfectly.
In the end, the journey of self-love is a special and important path. It’s about embracing your true self, knowing you are worthy, and treating yourself with kindness.
As you start this journey, remember the words of poet Rumi: “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
I hope you enjoyed reading this! If you liked it, feel free to give it a round of virtual applause. The medium allows up to 50 claps, so clap on if you’d like!
See you soon….
