Self-love is a powerful and transformative notion that undoubtedly carries a host of stigma and cliché, yet it is fundamental in our personal wellbeing and growth. Self-love involves cultivating a positive and nurturing relationship rooted in a deep sense of appreciation, acceptance and compassion with ourselves. It thrives in the intentional practice of recognising and valuing our own worth, individuality and strengths, as well as our flaws, mistakes and weaknesses. Self-love embodies so many aspects we need, both for and from ourselves such as self-care, self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-worth, self-esteem, self-compassion… the list could go on. We wouldn’t even question giving these to others so we shouldn’t question their importance for ourselves too!
Self love encompasses core aspects of living healthy lives, including our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. To truly love ourselves, self-care is paramount. It means paying attention to our often-dismissed mental and emotional needs, fulfilling them through practices like meditation, therapy or simply engaging in activities that bring us joy, contentment and relaxation. Notably, this is often easier said than done betwixt the whirlwind lifestyles and expectations of today’s world, but the reality of self-care is far more achievable than we are led to believe.
View self-love as our navigator through life, equipping us with resilience and self-assurance, as we develop a solid (yet evolving) foundation of self-worth and inner strength. Self-love isn’t selfish. Read that again. Self love is not vain nor egotistical. Self-love just means understanding our limitations and imperfections, embracing them as part of our uniqueness and growth- looking through the lens of positivity and acceptance. It involves forgiving ourselves for past mistakes and letting go of negative self-talk- sometimes we become our own, worst enemies… the world needs less of those! Self-love means trusting ourselves- trust itself is one of the hardest things to build, but making choices that resonate with our hearts and stepping outside our comfort zone is the key to our growth. It is about recognising that we are deserving of love and care, just as much as anyone else.
Practicing self love requires self-compassion. This is the ability to treat ourselves with the same kindness, understanding and forgiveness we would give to a loved one and nurturing our inner dialogue to be a place of self-affirmation, not self-criticism. We are human- we need to spend more time embracing our vulnerabilities with comfort, kindness and support. Nurturing self-love also involves prioritising healthy and supportive connections; surrounding ourselves with positive influences- those who uplift and inspire us. Self-love encourages us to embrace our authenticity and live a life aligned with our passions, values and true desires. Without a doubt, self-love enhances our overall wellbeing by boosting self-confidence, reducing stress and fuelling our resilience. It encourages us to look within, valuing a relationship with the one person who will remain with us our entire lives… ourselves. Can you imagine what the world would be if all 8 billion of us prioritised self-love… or even just love?
Self love is a lifelong journey that requires continuous self-reflection to honour our needs, alongside an open-minded perspective filled with gratitude. It is really just about appreciating the little things, the things that make our hearts smile and the lessons life offers in abundance, no matter how small they may seem. Self love is not a destination, it is a limitless process of discovery, empowerment and growth nourished by our very own being. We need to be true to ourselves, we need to be our own biggest, loudest fans so we can thrive and create the fulfilling, meaningful life we deserve. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
