The Importance of Self Love
If you don't love yourself, you can not love others, said the Dalai Lama.
Of all the personal journeys you must take, the path to loving one's self can be the most challenging.
Unfortunately, many people don't get the unconditional love they seek from external entities. Even families of blood relation can be bad at teaching us what love is and how to love ourselves.
But the world of science can confirm that self-love is an essential piece to becoming successful and having successful relationships. It really is the stepping stone to become able to love others.
Taking Care of You
Loving yourself sets you up to do the things that are best for you and make healthy choices.
You are more likely to develop good habits and break bad ones when you are treating yourself with loving kindness. You are also more likely to take charge of more positive opportunities in your career, relationships, and personal goals when you feel good about yourself.
When you know you are worth all the things you want in life, you won't be held back by insecurities or imposter syndrome.
Self-love can also give us the ability to look inward and provide a space for self-reflection. We can see our weaknesses and strengths objectively and are better equipped to do something about both.
Nobody is perfect, but that does not mean that we can not love ourselves just the way we are. We are all perfectly imperfect ;-)
Each year I reflect on things I can improve about myself, because I believe that we can constantly study ourselves and learn from our behavior.
This year my focus is on seeing that people don't always have to do things the way I would do them. By accepting that not everyone thinks the same way that I do... I feel more peaceful and at ease. I feel better about myself, for not forcing my way on everybody and as a result, everybody is happier.
Self Love Isn't Always About Yourself
You may think of self-love as something that is selfish or indulgent, but that is not quite true.
It is tough to love others selflessly and unconditionally when you are incapable of loving who you are. So loving yourself is, in the end, about finding a way to love others and to strengthen your relationships with family, friends, and lovers.
Self-love is also not the same as narcissism, arrogance, or conceit.
It is about knowing and accepting who you are in a kind way so that you can set boundaries for yourself and also in your relationships. When you do something out of guilt, or to please others, you are placing more value on their needs than your own.
How To Practice Self Love
Love is a verb, and self-love involves action.
Take a moment each day to be present and focus on yourself, whether that is meditation or yoga, a hot bath, or some downtime with a good book.
Also, try to do some mental work. Stop comparing yourself to others, surround yourself with others who are good to you, and decide to accept those parts of yourself that you aren't very fond of.
Self-love can be a challenge, so I designed a line of jewelry that focuses on the power of love and self-love, acceptance. These pieces can be a daily reminder to love your self and others with compassion and kindness. So love who you are, and become the best version of yourself!
