Self-love doesn’t mean being selfish as most people tend to interpret. Self-love means loving yourself and at the same time building your self-esteem.
It involves putting yourself first before any other person and loving yourself unconditionally. This is something most people fail to do.
Many of us find it easier to forgive others but not ourselves for the same mistakes, we constantly criticize ourselves when we slip in the tiniest way, we let ourselves be in that unhealthy relationship, or involve ourselves in vices when we know it isn’t healthy. All this is a result of a lack of self-love.
When you practice self-love, it is easier for people to see that, and treat you with respect and love because you have given yourself that. Self-love doesn’t mean you are selfish. You can love yourself and still love others.
You may be wondering how you can love yourself when you have become accustomed to loving others more than yourself. This article will tell you what self-love entails and how you can love yourself.
Best Tips on Self-love You Should Adopt
Here are some ways you can show love to yourself.
1. Learn to say NO
Loving yourself is by learning to say no when it is necessary. Many people accept tasks, duties, etc even when they are tired, have so much on their plates, etc. They accept that extra work because they don’t want to get on someone’s bad side.
You would know your boundary. Saying NO doesn’t make you a bad person, it is self-love. It means that you realize what you can and cannot handle at a particular point in your life. People will come to respect that.
2. Stop comparison
More often than we care to admit we have fallen into the bandwagon of constantly comparing ourselves to others around us or social media. Thus deals with our self-esteem and shows how we lack self-love.
You are enough just as you are. We sometimes get worked up over the fact that someone or people don’t like you, and you think that if only you dressed or acted like another person, it could have been different. This slowly eats away at your self-esteem and shows a lack of self-love.
You are doing your best. Don’t tell yourself otherwise. Love yourself enough, and stop comparing. Remember everyone is different.
3. Know yourself
What are your values, goals, what you can and cannot accept? You need to know all these things to practice self-love effectively.
Be aware of the various emotions you feel. Learn to acknowledge the emotions you feel which make you a human being.
Also, be aware of the potential embedded in you. Harness your gifts and the area of strength you have. Don’t just get distracted with various works, activities, distractions, among others. Self-love is putting yourself first, and being yourself.
4. Reward yourself
When last did you go on a solo date, read a book, see a favorite movie, or do any other fun thing you love?
You have been working hard, smashing those big goals, achieving things, just living is enough to reward yourself, or better still treat yourself.
Self-love is knowing that you can spoil yourself, relax, and take care of yourself.
5. Work on yourself
You may know the area of your life that needs work or improvement. You cannot get better if you keep making excuses for yourself, waving them aside, etc.
Be honest with yourself, self-love requires that. Also, put in the work required for you to change and do better. Be a grown-up and take responsibility for your life. Don’t play the victim card.
6. Forgive yourself
There are some mistakes you made in the past that you are probably still being yourself up for. You blame yourself for not having done this or that perfectly, you forget the fact that you are a human being and you mess up sometimes.
Self-love opens your mind to the awareness that you are allowed to forgive yourself for what you didn’t do right previously because of a lack of knowledge or experience. Embrace the present.
7. Be grateful
You are not where you want to be but you are not where you used to be. Take the time to practice gratitude for all that you have achieved.
Personally, each month, I love writing down things I’m grateful for, and what I have succeeded at. This is the most important self-love activity I practice.
It makes me remember and be grateful for all God has helped me to achieve while also opening my mind to the possibilities available.
Even when your success may seem little, it boosts your self-love when you read it again at a later time.
8. Take care of yourself
Taking care of your body and health is all part of self-love. Wear clothes that boost your self-esteem, exercise, sleep well, drink water, take prescribed medications, etc.
You need your body to function well so that you go about your daily activities, and so all you are supposed to.
To help yourself relax you should engage in fun leisure activities that you love, not an activity that someone imposed on you. It will help in reducing any stress you may feel.
9. Choose who you spend time with
We can’t choose our family, but we are permitted to choose our friends and those we let into our lives. Don’t allow toxic people into your life who only drain you.
Love yourself enough to choose people who uplift you, make you feel better, and who respect you. It is also important that you exhibit these attributes to attract the right people.
10. Be kind to yourself
Positive affirmations are becoming popular because it Is an act of self-love that more people are relating to.
Speak kind words to yourself, be kind to yourself by choosing what you can and can not accept. Have boundaries and respect them.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, all you have is yourself. So, learn to put yourself first, value the relationship you have with yourself, and practice self-love unapologetically.
