What is Self Love?
Self-love, the cornerstone of our well-being, is an intricate dance of appreciation, affinity, and positive regard for oneself. Distinguished from narcissism by its positive nature, self-love means understanding your value and embracing both strengths and weaknesses. It is the catalyst for improved mental fitness, enhanced well-being, and enriched relationships.
In my younger years, the concept of self-love seemed entangled with notions of vanity. My focus leaned heavily toward unconditional love for others, translating into significant self-sacrifice. A ceaseless prioritization of everyone else left minimal time for personal endeavors. Hobbies became a distant memory, and the toll on my health became palpable, leaving me depleted. The mere thought of carving out time for myself beyond anything that was essential was out of the question.
Rediscovering Myself
A few years ago, I was at a turning point in my life, prompting a profound reassessment of my life. Contrary to belief, self-sacrifice wasn't the path to happiness. Accomplishing tasks while eroding my identity cast a shadow on every aspect of life. Stepping back, I initiated a journey of self-assessment, turning to practices like journaling, meditation, and introspection.
I learned that the first step to practicing self-love was to learn to forgive myself. With forgiveness comes the deepest, purest love—for not living up to my own expectations, for not always being the best version of myself, and sometimes falling off track. I discovered the true meaning of the oft-repeated metaphor of 'the oxygen mask.' I needed to care for myself before extending that care to others. The importance of balance, even within oneself, became evident.
The Significance of Receiving and Giving
Reciprocity is the dynamic exchange of giving and receiving, rooted in a sense of abundance and a profound understanding of interconnectedness. While we're often taught the value of selfless giving, the art of gracefully receiving is equally essential. Overextending ourselves in the name of sacrifice can lead to burnout, resentment, and self-judgment.
Over the past few years, I discovered the significance of receiving being as vital as giving. I needed to be the receiver and giver of the love that I give everyone around me. An analogy that resonated deeply was that of a bank account – just like one can only spend money when there are sufficient funds in the account, I understood that both giving and receiving are essential components for a fulfilling and balanced life.
I realized I was running overdraft balances in my emotional, physical and mental accounts! I hadn’t even explored anything even close to spirituality. To navigate this new understanding, I pondered on how to align my career, my devotion to my kids, and my desire to serve the community without losing myself in the process.
Why is Self-Love Important?
Self-love is critical to our overall well-being. Loving yourself doesn’t mean that you don’t hold yourself to a high standard. Without feeling positively towards ourselves, we may find it hard to be motivated. Many studies suggest that we need self-love to take action, take chances, and take on new opportunities.
Self-love motivates positive behavior while reducing harmful behavior. It empowers us to take risks and say no to things that don’t work for us. It’s a key component of building self-compassion. Self Love brings energy into our lives, a contagious energy that leads to making our dreams reality, to bringing joy and happiness in our lives and into the lives of those around us.
Defining Self Love
Self-love can be defined as an appreciation of one’s own worth or virtue. Treating yourself with kindness and respect means taking time to take care of your overall well-being. That includes accepting yourself as you are, prioritizing your needs, setting healthy boundaries, and forgiving yourself when needed. Self-love is when we don’t settle for anything less than what we deserve. Loving yourself means staying present in your body with your feelings, consciously staying open to learning about your feelings, beliefs, and what supports your highest good
Self-love could mean different things for different people. For the sake of your own mental health, figure out what self-love looks like for you and don’t get influenced by anyone else’s definition.
The Greatest Love Story with Yourself
All of us desire love in our lives. Many of us seek the perfect love story; now, envision having the greatest love story ever—with yourself. As we stand at this crossroads, a profound opportunity unfolds – an opportunity to embrace forgiveness, cultivate self-acceptance, and love ourselves with a passion and depth that resonates throughout the world we inhabit.
The journey begins with honoring oneself, a crucial step in the lifelong pursuit of personal growth and resilience against life's challenges. While the path to self-love may present challenges, dedicating time and effort to this practice yields profound results.
Together, let's explore the essence of what self-love means to you, craft the greatest love story with yourself, and manifest the life you genuinely deserve. Your extraordinary journey awaits.