“The Future Depends on What You Do Today”

Do you love yourself?

You must have heard it before: You need to love yourself. So, what does it mean to love yourself? How do you do it? And is it ok to love yourself; is that not self-centered?

Let’s first understand what self-love really is: It refers to our ability to hold ourselves in esteem and have confidence in our worth, no matter what happens around us. It is the regard for one’s own well-being and happiness. Well-being is a condition of being content, healthy and successful.

Having looked at the definition above, I guess you would agree with me that this is unquestionably a desired state and not self-centered. You only become self-centered when you only think of yourself, without any regard for the feelings or desires of others and always view yourself as better than others.

Why should you love yourself?

  1. You are unique

You are unique, one of a kind! How amazing is that? There is no need to try and look or behave like someone else, as you are no-one else but you. Just accept yourself fully and completely for who you really are.

  1. Self-love will help you to achieve your goals

As Winnie the Pooh said: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think! The more you love yourself, the braver, stronger and smarter you will become and the easier it will be to achieve your goals.

  1. People like people who love themselves

People like to be in the company of people whom are ok with who they are. There is no fun in spending time with someone who constantly puts themselves down. Self-love is magnet for love! Love yourself and people will love you and they will want to spend more time with you.

  1. You deserve it

I am sure that it is true that you love your family and friends. Is there any reason why you would not deserve exactly the same? We all make mistakes and do things that we later regret – you forgive your family and friends for their mishaps, now do the same for yourself.

  1. You can only love others if you love yourself

It is such a cliché, but it is so true. It is certainly hard to love others and have a deep and meaningful relationship with the other person, if you do not already love yourself.

  1. You will be a happier person

Loving yourself really will make you a happier person. There is no such thing as the perfect person, and what one person sees as attractive and perfect, another does not. Loving yourself is not about being selfish or showing off, it’s about accepting yourself for who you are and, when you can do that, you can truly start to be a happy person.

Now for the BIG question: What can you do to love yourself?

  1. Tell yourself at least once a day out loud that you love yourself

It is a great practice to look yourself in the eye in the mirror and tell yourself how much you love yourself. Say it out loud and with conviction. Make a habit of it by following this practice religiously for the next 28 days.

  1. Make a list of your accomplishments

When last have you paused and celebrated your achievements? As we run from one thing to the next, we often forget to take stock of what we have achieved. Take a couple of minutes and write down all your achievements. And I mean all of them, not only the ones that you believe are worthy mentioning. It is not a contest, so no matter how small the achievement is in your opinion, write it down and congratulate yourself.

  1. Take care of yourself

Taking care of yourself plays a big part in learning how to love yourself, and many people do not do it. If you take care of yourself, you will be the best version of yourself. Taking care of yourself is taking care of your physical and emotional health.

  1. Learn to say no

It is often the people-pleasers that find it very hard to say no. While your life revolves around making others happy, it implies that you put yourself second all the time. In doing so, you can never be happy. So, learn to say NO!

  1. You don’t have to please everybody

When you love yourself, you have no need to impress other people and others don’t have to impress you. As soon as you stop trying to please everyone else, you will begin to love yourself. If you rate other people’s opinion higher than your own, you are not giving yourself enough credit.

  1. Laugh a little

Laughter is the best medicine – so true! Have at least one good laugh every day. Laughter benefits your health, your emotional well-being and your social interactions. When you learn to laugh more you will be happier and healthier.

And if you can’t? Do a laughter exercise where you fake a laugh until it becomes real.

  1. Become aware of your thoughts

You might be so used to negative thoughts that you don’t even realise it. Become aware of what you are thinking and what is running over and over in your mind. Every couple of hours, ask yourself what you have been thinking about. If it was all negative thoughts where you belittled yourself, then consciously change the thoughts by writing down your achievements and beautiful trades.

  1. Avoid perfection

Some people have trouble accepting anything less than perfection from themselves. Be honest: how many people do you know that are perfect? Not a single one! Yet you burden yourself to be perfect. Lower the standard that you set for yourself and you will immediately feel better about yourself and your achievements.

  1. Repeat positive affirmations daily

Find some positive thoughts that help you feel better, and repeat them daily. At first this may seem awkward, but the habit will cause the positive thoughts to sink in, and you will begin to believe them, even if you don’t at first.

I would like to wrap up this month’s blog with a beautiful affirmation from Louise Hay: I am a Divine, Magnificent Expression of Life, and I deserve the very best. I accept this for myself now. I accept miracles. I accept healing. I accept wholeness. And most of all, I accept myself.