Self-Love: Meaning, Benefits, and How To Start

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

— Buddha

Guess what? Self-love is not about being narcissistic or selfish. It’s about understanding your worth and having the strength to put yourself first. 

To truly love yourself is all about having the courage to pursue your dreams and take care of yourself. It’s about understanding that you are worthy of love and respect, and that you are capable of making a difference in the world. 

It is our wish that this blog will be an inspiration for you to take the first steps in your journey of self-love. I hope that it will provide you with the encouragement and strength to love yourself and make the changes necessary to live a life of joy and fulfillment.

What Does Self Love Mean? 

Self-love is a powerful force that can help us live our best lives. It is the foundation of any healthy relationship we have with ourselves and others. Loving oneself is the practice of taking care of ourselves, both physically and emotionally. It means taking time to prioritize our own needs and make sure we are taking care of ourselves. It means that we are not sacrificing our own wellbeing for anyone else’s benefit.

More importantly it’s about being kind to ourselves. This is your sign to begin being gentle with yourself when you make mistakes and forgiving yourself for your shortcomings. It is about being honest with yourself about your feelings and not beating yourself up when things don’t go as planned. 

⭐ Self love is about being your own wonderful friend, and giving yourself care, forgiveness, attention, and understanding.

Here’s what self-love looks like:

“I’m all about body positivity and self-love because I believe that we can save the world if we first save ourselves.” — Lizzo

• Not being overly harsh with ourselves
• Giving forgiveness after unintended mistakes and as we learn to make better choices
• Seeing life as a journey and not a competition
• Being kind and compassionate toward ourselves
• Not having useless expectations
• Treating our body with respect and understanding
• Accepting ourselves
• Believing in our dreams
• Not relying on external validation to feel worthy
• Letting others love us too
• Letting go of what is unhealthy ( like habits, relationships, and memories)
• Making health a priority
• Talking to ourselves kindly

Why Self Love Is Important 

Loving yourself is the key to a more beautiful life, because although you can’t escape yourself, you can give yourself kindness, acceptance and appreciation. 

Learning to appreciate and accept yourself will help you to be kinder to those around you. Treat yourself with the same love you would give to someone you truly care about, and you will create a safe space of peace and joy. 

Self-love is not only fair and deserved, it’s essential.

Benefits of Self Love

• You Interact With Others From A Place Of Confidence – When you have the courage to love yourself, you unlock the power to truly connect with the world around you. Believing in yourself gives you the strength to share your unique gifts and talents, creating meaningful relationships built on trust and security.

• You Are Able To Set Boundaries (And So Feel Less Resentful) – Start saying “yes” to yourself and your own needs! Setting boundaries and taking time for yourself is essential for your own well-being and for your relationships with others. When you are content and satisfied, your relationships will be more positive and balanced. Respect yourself enough to create a healthy work/life balance and others will respect you too. Taking the time to prioritize and care for yourself will bring out the best version of you.

• You Set A Precedent For How You Expect To Be Treated – Start loving and respecting yourself, and you’ll see the world start to love and respect you in return. Prioritize your wellbeing, and you’ll find that those around you will be more likely to do the same. Treat yourself with kindness and care, and you will attract people into your life who do the same. You are worthy of love and respect – start with yourself and watch the rest of your world follow.

• You Aren’t Relying On Others To Make You Happy – Investing in ourselves and our well-being is a powerful act of self-love. When we prioritize our own happiness, we no longer need to rely on the words and actions of others to make us feel content. Instead, we can take pleasure in the additional joy that others bring to our lives, or simply appreciate the beauty of our own independence.

• You Don’t Need So Much External Validation – When you learn to love and accept yourself, you no longer need to rely on the validation and approval of others. It’s freeing to be able to simply enjoy the presence of those around you, without expecting or needing constant reassurance. Love yourself and you’ll find that all the approval and validation you need is within you.

• You Choose People To Spend Time With, Knowing Your Worth – When you cultivate self-love, you become empowered to make decisions that are best for you and your life. You become aware of what doesn’t serve you, and you have the courage to walk away from it. Your self-love and respect for yourself sets the bar high for how you should be treated, and you no longer settle for anything less. Embrace your self-love and discover the power of knowing your worth.

How To Start Practicing Self Love 

Self-love is a process of learning how to love and care for yourself. It involves understanding yourself, accepting yourself, and developing a strong sense of self-worth. It is an essential part of healthy living, and it can be difficult to practice. 

But with dedication and effort, it can be done. Here are three ways to start practicing self-love:

1. Find Your Values: The first step to self-love is to identify your personal values and beliefs. Ask yourself, “What do I believe in? What do I stand for?” Once you have identified your values, you can start to make decisions that align with them. This will help you build a strong sense of self-worth and self-confidence.

2. Practice Self-Compassion: Self-compassion is the practice of being kind and compassionate to yourself, even when you make mistakes or feel down. It involves treating yourself with understanding and care, rather than criticism and judgment. Try to be mindful of your thoughts and feelings, and talk to yourself in a kind and understanding way.

3. Take Care of Yourself: Self-love also involves taking care of your physical and mental health. Eat nutritious meals, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and engage in activities that bring you joy. Taking care of yourself is one of the best ways to show yourself love.

By following these steps, you can start to practice self-love and create a strong sense of self-worth. Remember, self-love is something that takes time and dedication. But with patience and effort, you can cultivate a healthy relationship with yourself.

“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.”

— Sylvia Plath

At the end of the day, practicing self-love is essential for your overall wellbeing. 

It’s important to remember that you are in control of your own happiness and that you deserve to be given the same care and respect that you give to others. Through self-love, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself, build self-confidence, and create an environment that fosters a positive outlook on life. 

You can also learn to recognize and appreciate your own value, allowing you to become the best version of yourself. So, take time for yourself, be kind to yourself, and focus on the things that make you feel good. 

Self-love is the key to unlocking a life of fulfillment and joy.