Self-Love 101: Fall In Love With The Amazing Person You Already Are

Written by Iesha Renee’

This post is about self-love 101.

“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody, a powerful quote from Maya Angelou.” Yet, why do we spend our lives validating our worth to others instead of reminding ourselves of who God created us to be? Psalm 139:14 states you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

For this reason, self-love must become a daily routine that helps with mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. By constantly repeating and speaking positivity over yourself, you limit the negativity you allow to consume your mind. This practice is a powerful method for preventing stress, anxiety, and depression.

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This post will explore self-love 101, its necessity, and ways to incorporate it.

Self-Love 101

What is self-love? What does it mean to you?

Self-love is being your own biggest cheerleader and making yourself a priority. It means listening and respecting who you are and what you require as a human being. You understand that you matter and have needs and wants you must meet to be the best version of yourself.

You give yourself grace and know you are not perfect, and that’s okay. You love the strengths and embrace the weaknesses that make up who you are, but you know there is always room for improvement. You are confident but not arrogant. You know that you are not everyone’s cup of tea but your own, which is okay, too. Self-love means being kind to yourself and appreciating the amazing person you have always been.

What would it mean to you if you could break down self-love by individual letters?

 I broke down what self-love means to me. I would love for you to read and apply each letter to how it speaks specifically to you. 

S stands for Sacrifice. You are allowing yourself to be without momentarily for future abundance.

E is for Encouragement. Anytime you feel like you can’t push forward, encouragement from yourself and others can boost you to keep thriving. Words of encouragement are like food for your soul.

L is for Loyalty. You’re in this for the long haul, so trust yourself to get there. You know you have your own back if nobody else does.

F stands for Fortitude, the courage to withstand any adversity that may come your way. The power to keep going trumps the obstacles, no matter how big or small.

L is for Legacy. Building a solid foundation for yourself can carry on from generation to generation. Your legacy will impact not only your family and friends but people throughout the world. Loving yourself enough not to be selfish and share what God has positioned you to do is extraordinary.

O is for Optimistic. Being hopeful about your circumstances despite knowing the outcome. 

V is for Victory. The win is already yours; you just have to cross the line. You will be victorious in every situation.

E stands for Energy. Your energy is crucial when it comes to loving oneself. It’s all up to you, but positive energy is the antidote. Continuously being upbeat and happy will take you a very long way. 

I hope this helps you understand how beautiful and important self-love is. May you take something from it and apply it to your journey.❤️

Is self-love a part of self-care?

Yes, because you love yourself enough to prioritize your happiness and well-being and willingly carry out activities that will do that. No, self-love is not an act of selfishness; it’s an act of bravery. It takes a lot to put yourself first without the thought of guilt. 

Why is self-love important?

 Self-love is essential for bettering yourself and can also help you nurture genuine and healthier relationships with others. When you know your worth, creating boundaries with others becomes easy, and you surround yourself with like-minded people who respect and value that in your friendship.

Overall, once you prioritize yourself, you can focus on every area of your life, not just the mental but spiritual, physical, and emotional, which can help you become more fulfilled.

Challenges in practicing self-love

Of course, when you choose yourself, the journey of self-love comes with pushback. Sometimes, a negative thought may slip into your head and make you question whether you’re doing what’s right. You often become your worst critic because you fall into the trap of perfectionism.

Let’s not forget the comparison game we like to play, thinking that we must be like others to truly enjoy life. Welp, I have some news for you; you are NOT perfect and never will be! You were born to stand out, so the comparison game is played out, lol. Also, whatever negative thoughts are creeping in is a sign that you are on the right track and doing what you should!

Related Post: How To Keep Moving Forward In An Uncomfortable Season Of Your Life

How to practice self-love?

There are a few ways you can practice self-love:

1. Daily Affirmations: Sit down and write a list of positive and encouraging affirmations. Then, recite these daily, preferably in the morning, to boost your confidence to start the day. As this becomes a habit, you soon feel better about who you are, which can help create a healthier environment.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

–Proverbs 18:21

2. Practicing Mindfulness: Remember to do daily check-ins with yourself. Ask yourself the necessary questions and correct anything that seems wrong. Trust yourself and the process.

3. Self-Care Practices: Start adding small things to your day that will make a big difference, such as taking a relaxing bubble bath instead of a shower. The bubble bath lets you relax your muscles and mind from a hectic day.

Instead of watching TV, pick up a book and read a few pages to help you wind down for bed. Don’t slight yourself on how often and with how much self-care you decide to indulge in; you’re worthy and deserve every bit of it.

Related Post: 27 Short Positive Affirmations For The Day That Will Give You Hope

4. Set Boundaries: This practice may be challenging because you don’t want to upset anyone because of how you want to live your life, but it’s YOUR LIFE. Go on DND if you don’t want to talk or want to take a nap. Give yourself a curfew if you don’t want to be out all night, and don’t let anyone talk you out of it. Say no, and don’t explain. Express how you want to be addressed and spoken to; keep your distance if they don’t respect it. Create the life you love with no apologies or regrets.

How do I stay committed to my self-love journey?

Remember, your self-love journey is a marathon, not a sprint. You must be consistent and intentional about becoming the person you truly want to be. Every little step every day makes a difference.

Find a journal to document and track your progress. You will be surprised at all you have and will accomplish once you look back at what you wrote. Reward yourself for your hard work as you knock each goal down individually. You deserve to celebrate your wins, big or small, but never give up. Quitting is never an option!

Related Post: 6 Habits That Are Sabotaging Your Own Success

In conclusion

In a world that often pressures us to seek validation from others, it’s essential to remember that true worth comes from within. Making self-love a daily practice is not just beneficial—it’s necessary for maintaining mental health, nurturing healthy relationships, and enhancing overall well-being. By speaking positivity into your life and affirming your worth, you create a protective shield against the negativity that can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.

So, as you continue your self-love journey, remember that it’s not about perfection but progress. Each small step towards loving yourself more is a step towards a happier, healthier you. Embrace who you are, celebrate your uniqueness, and let self-love guide you to the life you deserve.

This post is about self-love 101 and its necessity in your life.

Comment below on which step you will take today to start loving yourself more.