Many of us easily rattle off things we love. I love music. I love to dance. I love chocolate. A hefty population of us can also tell others in our lives that we love them; whether that communication is through words, actions, or a warm hug, we express that love. When it comes to expressing love for the self, however, many of this same population have a bit more trouble.
What does it mean to express self love, and is there a single definition? I happen to think that self love can loosely be defined as acts of showing respect, compassion, and kindness to oneself in healthy ways. I also think self love will look different from one individual to the next.
No matter how it looks from one person to another, it is an important part of self care. Giving love to ourselves helps build self-confidence, rejuvenates our minds and spirits, helps our bodies stay healthy, and fortifies us in countless other ways.
Treating ourselves and speaking to ourselves as well as we treat and speak to others can be difficult for us. Often times, we are taught some subtle and not-so-subtle ways to discourage positive thoughts and feelings in regard to the self. Perhaps we have been wounded through experience and develop a negative perspective. I believe that we can counteract these negative habits and beliefs and that we owe it to ourselves to do so. I think, like many other aspects of wellness, practice makes us stronger. We can flex that self love like a muscle and build ourselves up.
Let’s talk a little more about what self love is, what it might be to you, what it isn’t, and how we might work to build it in to a healthy habit.
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