Loving ourselves can be hard to do. Most of us know that it is important to love ourselves but struggle with actually doing it. There have been times in my life where I have felt like loving myself is selfish or that I should be more focused on loving and helping others instead of solely thinking about myself. But the truth is that we need to love ourselves first before we are able to truly love others. Loving yourself isn’t self-absorbed or inconsiderate, but instead it is essential if we want to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Self-love is being kind to yourself.
This kindness will allow you to forgive yourself for your past mistakes instead of dwelling on them. It’s also about taking the time to practice self-care and nurture your body without feeling guilty. You can practice kindness towards yourself through doing things like creating a space for yourself to maintain friendships and practicing hobbies. By being unkind to yourself and convincing yourself that you don’t need these everyday practices, it may lead you to unhappiness and prevent you from fully enjoying life. Ignoring your own self-care and being unkind to yourself can make it harder for you to show up and care for others.
Self-love is also having confidence in your worth.
It’s important to recognize that you deserve respect, happiness and love just as much as the people around you. Practicing self-love will let you pursue your goals confidently without seeking approval from others. It gives you the confidence to speak up for yourself when you feel disrespected. Acknowledging our own worth allows us to care for and respect others in the same way.Â
Self-love is accepting who you are, including your flaws.
By practicing self-love, you begin to embrace your imperfections as part of your identity and let go of unrealistic societal standards. You can treat yourself with compassion during tough times and become more patient with yourself as you continue to grow.
Self-love is a necessity.
When we practice being kind and loving ourselves, it leads us further toward a healthier and happier life. Prioritizing self-love does not mean that you are becoming selfish. In fact, practicing self-love is what allows us to truly love others. When we are full of love, we can offer love to others from a place of abundance instead of emptiness. Practicing self-love is the birthplace of all things kind and it is not selfish at all.
As Kim Namjoon from BTS once said, “I have come to love myself for who I was, who I am, and who I hope to become, and if you want to love others, I think you should love yourself first.”
