You know those sayings like "love is the answer" and "love makes the world go round"? But let's get real: While we're all about wanting to love and be loved, loving ourselves can sometimes feel like trying to catch a unicorn. You might've tried to be all gentle with yourself, to appreciate your good bits and stare into the mirror whispering, "I love myself," but more often than not, it feels more fake than a reality TV show.
To love someone, we need to establish a relationship grounded in trust, respect, adoration, and the desire to care for that person. So, how do we build such a relationship with ourselves? Well, let's dive into four steps that may make learning to love yourself a bit easier.
Step one: Accept. The first step toward creating more self-love is to identify and then stop the behavior that undermines its foundation—self-acceptance. Ever catch yourself being your own worst critic? While you are the most patient and tolerant friend and partner, you judge yourself for everything, from your waistline to your bank balance.
Next time you're about to lay into yourself, stop and ask whether you would treat your best friend like that. Probably not. So, give yourself a break and remind yourself that accepting your quirks and imperfections is the bridge to peace and happiness. Once you are there, you can always choose to change and improve yourself and your life, not out of shame, blame, and insecurity but rather from a place of self-worth and love.........