Loving Yourself

…And if I asked you to name all of the things that you love, how long would it take to name yourself?

The most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself. Loving yourself truly and deeply is the key to a happy and fulfilling life. If you lack self-love, you will see it affecting every aspect of your being, every relationship, even your professional life.

First and foremost, self-love leads to self-acceptance. When you love yourself unconditionally, you accept yourself for who you are – flaws and all. You do not judge yourself harshly for making mistakes or not living up to some impossible ideal. You understand that being human means imperfection.

With self-acceptance comes confidence, the ability to set healthy boundaries, and the willingness to try new things.

Self-love also has an effect on how you treat others. When you love yourself, you recognize that others deserve love and respect too. You become more empathetic, patient and kind. Your relationships become more balanced and mutually beneficial.

Loving yourself allows you to love others freely and genuinely without needing external validation.

Here are five steps you can take to start loving yourself:

1. Be kind to yourself. When you catch yourself being overly critical or harsh, stop and speak to yourself in a kind and compassionate way instead. Speak to yourself as you would to your best friend; be gentle and encouraging.

2.  Make a mental list of your best qualities and focus on your strengths. Refer to this list when you need a reminder of who you truly are – someone worthy of love.

3.  Practice self-care. Make time for activities that nourish your mind, body and soul. Do things that bring you happiness and fulfillment. Prioritize your own needs so your cup is full, and you can give to others from a place of love.

4.  Accept yourself as you are, with flaws and all. Flaws are part of being human. Learn from this experience and do your best next time. Taking risks implies growth and growth may be painful sometimes. You don’t have to change anything about who you are to deserve love and happiness. When negative thoughts creep in, remind yourself you are worthy as you are.

5. Notice the glimmers in your life, the micro moments that make you feel peace, gratitude, joy. Once you train your mind to be on the lookout for glimmers, the more these tiny moments will begin to appear in your day.