If you have the ability to love, love yourself first – Charles Bukowski
Self love is a voyage of discovery, where the destination is not a place, but a state of being – one where we accept ourselves wholly, flaws and all, and embrace our inherent worthiness.
To love yourself is to love and accept every aspect of who you are. It means being able to forgive yourself of past mistakes or shortcomings..
If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down – Buddha
You are worthy of all forms of love. When you allow yourself to begin the journey to self-love, you will feel the transformation in your life. Accept who you are. Show yourself the love and attention you deserve. Let go of everything that does not make your soul happy.
The journey is not an easy one. It is not quick. It takes determination, a lot of self-reflection and the right kind of people in your corner. Just by reading this post you’re proving that you’re ready and capable of giving yourself more.
I release myself from versions of me that I created to survive. – Unknown
Back story. 7 years ago, I would have had absolutely no business giving advice on how to love yourself. Toxic relationships will do that to you. Drag you down leaving you feeling empty. I would not wish these feelings on anyone. Ever. Learning to genuinely love myself after trauma was one of the most difficult chapters of my life.
Positive spin, it doesn’t have to stay this way. Know that you are amazing and beautiful and completely worthy. When you can love yourself, it makes loving others so much easier.
In this post, I am going to share some tactics along with positive quotes to help you truly love the person you spend 100% of your time with. Some of these quotes got me through some very dark times.
We are all broken, that’s how the light gets in – Ernest Hemingway
This is my all-time favorite quote.
News flash. Nobody is perfect. Imperfection is universal and everybody is allowed to have bad days.You don’t need to try and be like someone else. Really, how boring would this world be if everyone thought the same and liked the same things? Be unique and love everything about you. Live life for you!
Things in life will happen to you that you have zero control over. You do, however, have control in how you react. Anxiety often stems from attempting to control the uncontrollable. Try not to put too much on your plate to overwhelm yourself.
Know that you are human and mistakes are an inherent part of the human experience. When you make mistakes, you are faced with a choice: to allow them to knock you down or to use them as stepping stones to greater resilience and strength. Your mistake does not define your future.
What is something you’ve done today just for you?
No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else. – P.T. Barnum
No matter what the situation is, close your eyes and think of all the things in your life you could be grateful for right now – Deepak Chopra
Focus on the things you appreciate about yourself and your life. By focusing on the things we appreciate about ourselves and our lives, we can shift our perspective towards a more optimistic outlook. When we actively seek out moments of gratitude, we train our brains to recognize and cherish the abundance around us. When we focus on the things that bring us happiness and fulfillment, we invite more positivity into our lives. This positive reinforcement creates a ripple effect, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Gratitude also strengthens our relationships and deepens our connections with others. When we express appreciation for the people in our lives, we strengthen bonds of love, trust, and mutual respect. Whether it’s a simple thank-you note or a heartfelt conversation, acknowledging the contributions of others enriches our relationships and creates a sense of belonging.
What are you grateful for today?
Good things happen in your life when you surround yourself with positive people – Roy Bennett
Keep your circle filled with people who uplift and encourage you. Find people who build you up and bring out the best in you and make time in your life for these people. Toxic people can rub off on you and affect your mental health in a negative way. Remember though to be kind to everyone. You don’t know who is facing an internal struggle of their own. You can be nice without inviting them into your life. Build others up and share the love you’re discovering for yourself. It feels good to make others feel good.
Who have you been kind to today? What did you do?
Life is very interesting…in the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths. – Drew Barrymore
20 minutes of doing something is more valuable than 20 hours of thinking about doing something. -Unknown
Celebrate your strengths and accomplishments: Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small they may seem.Taking the time to identify and celebrate these strengths will allow you to appreciate your unique qualities and the value you bring to the world. Whether it’s completing a project at work, learning a new skill, or overcoming a personal challenge, each achievement deserves recognition. By celebrating successes, you’re reinforcing the belief in your ability to overcome obstacles to achieve your goals. Recognizing your strengths can boost your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Take time to reflect on your values, goals, and aspirations. Self-reflection can help you align your actions with your true desires and intentions.Furthermore, self-reflection will allow you to celebrate your growth and development over time. You can look back on past experiences and accomplishments and see just how far you’ve come and appreciate the journey you’ve been on even in moments of struggle or setback.
Tell yourself out loud something you have accomplished recently. How did you celebrate?
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined. – Henry David Thoreau
Confidence is attractive and contagious, inspiring those around us to believe in themselves and strive for greatness. It is like a beacon, radiating assurance and self-assuredness. People are naturally drawn to those who shine confidence because it signals strength, competence, and authenticity. When you believe in yourself, you are more likely to support and uplift those around you. Confidence breeds positivity and encouragement.
Be mindful in your journey that your confidence doesn’t turn to pride. While confidence focuses on belief in oneself, pride involves a feeling of accomplishment or superiority often linked to specific accomplishments or attributes. Excessive pride is driven by your ego and may hinder personal growth and meaningful connections with others.
It’s ok if you fall down and lose your spark. Just make sure that when you get back up, you rise as the whole damn fire. – Colette Werden
Letting go of past mistakes and regrets is often easier said than done. Our minds have a curious way of holding onto negative experiences, replaying them endlessly like a broken record. Understand that imperfection is a part of being human.
One of the first steps towards releasing the burden of past errors is to acknowledge them fully. Instead of burying them deep within yourself, bring them to the surface, examine them, and understand their impact they have on your life. This process requires courage and self-reflection. It means confronting our own vulnerabilities and accepting them without judgment. You are strong and capable of freeing your mind from this.
Take the time today to think of something you truly forgive yourself for. Feel the weight lift from your shoulders.
It is so important to take time for yourself and find clarity. The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself. – Diane Von Furstenburg
Set boundaries. Learn that it’s ok to say no to things that drain your energy or make you feel uncomfortable. Establishing healthy boundaries is essential for self-respect and self-preservation. Boundaries are not selfish, they are essential for maintaining healthy relationships. Embracing boundaries is an act of self-respect and empowerment, enabling you to have a more fulfilling and balanced life.
When was the last time you said no?
You are what you believe yourself to be. – Paulo Coelho
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. – Eleanor Roosevelt
At the heart of the self-love journey lies the profound realization that we are deserving of love and kindness – not just from others, but from ourselves. It requires us to peel back the layers of self-doubt and criticism that we’ve accumulated over the years, revealing the essence of who we truly are beneath it all.
I couldn’t understand this journey more. It is a roller coaster, and I can’t promise you won’t ever have another day where you don’t love yourself with everything you have, but I can tell you that you’re on the right path. Keep your chin up and always know that you matter. No matter what. Wish it and live it.