The Power of Self-Love: Why It Matters

If you asked 100 women if they love themselves, about 50% would shrug, 25% might give a tentative yes, and the other 25% would probably say no or they don’t know how. The practice of self-love is deeply connected to self-esteem, and the level of your self-esteem will influence every decision you make throughout your life.

Before we dive into why self-love is essential, let’s first ensure we understand what it truly means.

What is Self-Love?

Self-love is the ability to appreciate and nurture yourself in meaningful ways. It supports your psychological, spiritual, and physical growth. When you love yourself, you regard yourself with high esteem both internally and externally. Practicing self-love means taking care of your own needs—physical, psychological, and spiritual—ensuring that you don’t settle for less than what you deserve.

Self-love is personal and unique for everyone, as we all care for ourselves in different ways. Understanding what self-love looks like for you is an important step in improving your mental health and well-being.

What Does Self-Love Mean to You?

For starters, self-love can mean:

• Talking to and about yourself with kindness
• Prioritizing your needs
• Giving yourself a break from self-judgment
• Trusting yourself
• Being true to yourself
• Being gentle and kind to yourself
• Setting healthy boundaries
• Forgiving yourself when you fall short

Self-Care: A Vital Component of Self-Love

Self-love and self-care often go hand in hand. In our fast-paced lives, many of us push self-care down on our to-do lists. But to practice true self-care, we must return to the basics.

How Can You Begin to Practice Self-Care?

• Listen to your body: Pay attention to its signals and needs.
• Take breaks: Step away from work and incorporate movement or stretching.
• Enjoy some downtime: Visit the spa if you can, or simply spend time at a park with your favorite book.
• Disconnect: Put your phone down to reconnect with yourself or others, or engage in something creative.
• Indulge occasionally: Eat healthily, but allow yourself the occasional treat.

The Essence of Self-Love

Self-love means accepting yourself as you are in this moment. It’s about honoring your emotions and putting your physical, emotional, and mental well-being first. In my view, it’s about #chooseyourself.

How and Why to Practice Self-Love

When you practice self-love, you are more likely to make healthy choices that nurture your well-being. This might include changing your diet, making time for daily exercise, and developing healthy relationships that lift you up.

Ways to Practice Self-Love:

• Be mindful: Understand what you think, feel, and need.
• Focus on needs over wants: Avoid automatic behaviors that hold you back.
• Practice self-care: Nourish your body, mind, and soul with healthy activities.
• Create space for healthy habits: Make decisions that reflect self-care, not just obligation.

Ultimately, practicing self-love requires kindness, patience, and compassion toward yourself, just as you would for those you care about.

Reaping the Benefits of Self-Love

When you #choose yourself, you will begin to experience the transformative benefits of putting your needs first. This is not selfish, despite how it may sometimes feel. Think of it like the flight attendant’s instructions: put on your oxygen mask before helping others. By taking care of yourself, you’re better equipped to care for others.

This is especially crucial for women who tend to be people-pleasers. Without practicing self-love, burnout, depression, and stress can take their toll, affecting all areas of life.

Embracing the Journey

Learning to love yourself is a process, and like any skill, it can be challenging at first. It might feel overwhelming, but the rewards are worth it. I can promise you, you won’t regret it.

My Personal Journey with Self-Love

When I first began my journey toward self-love, it felt like I was moving a mountain. Having grown up with low self-esteem, I didn’t believe I deserved to love myself. But over time, I learned that self-love is not about ego. It’s a gentle affirmation of your right to live freely and happily.

By practicing self-love, I realized I wasn’t the hopeless person I once believed I was. I deserved love and happiness, and so do you.

Self-Care and Self-Love Go Hand-in-Hand

Once you embrace self-love, adding self-care to your daily routine will feel natural. Whether it’s spending an hour at the spa or taking a quiet nap, self-care is a vital part of nurturing yourself.

Start Your Self-Love Journey Today

You are deserving of love, respect, and care. Start by being kind to yourself today, and remember that self-love is not a destination—it’s a lifelong practice. #chooseyourself