In most discussions about the human being, the subject of “self-love” appears. Just as quickly, the question arises: “What does it mean to love myself?” What does it mean to love myself, how is that done?”
It is interesting to note that when asked how they would care for a loved one in pain, most people know the answer.
But, somehow, they don’t understand how their own person could become the object of their own love…
Above all, love means…action. It means movement, activities, deeds, and words. Just as you would do for “another”, do various things for yourself: exercise, sports, participate in events, travel. Hold hands and go for a walk. Have you heard the expression: “I know you love me but sometimes I need to hear it?” It also applies to you! Be happy when something works out for you, and congratulate yourself, you deserve it. Basically, it was YOUR work and effort!
Love means interest, attention, and care. That is, simply to be interested in your own person. The unkempt hair, the weekly bath, and the shabby and thrown clothes on you are of no use to you. You wouldn’t let your child, partner or parent out on the street unkempt. Why do you do it? Self-interest means hygiene, cleanliness, and attention to image.
Self-love means taking care of your body and health. Go to the doctor, get your tests done, and see how you’re doing with the “inventory”. Do you have health problems? Take care of them. You are not your body but….as long as you have this body you better respect/take care of it as such. As you serve him, so he will serve you.
Self-love means respect. For you and for others. In THIS order. If you don’t respect yourself, who would you want to do it for you? Others do to you what YOU allow them to do to you. Why do you think that “the power to say NO” is one of the most discussed topics in psychology? Saying NO means self-respect, measure, limit, protection. When you feel something is wrong with/for you simply say: NO. Defend yourself, respect yourself, protect yourself!
Self-love means well-being, comfort, means the little pleasures of life. Don’t throw your money away on useless items just to fill your emotional voids. Don’t buy a big car, the latest phone and clothes every day. The best things are those that you can afford without selling your soul, time, health, and life. The little pleasures in life (a cup of tea, a coffee, 30 minutes of rest and relaxation, a hot bath, a trip) are often the fuel that keeps us going.
Self-love means order and discipline. How it is inside you is also outside you and…vice versa. Clean your house and life, things, and relationships. Sometimes it is necessary to part with objects, people, and relationships. The ability to be able to stop, to be able to separate from what suffocates you, burdens you, is the proof of your real power. Let go! You belong to no one and no one belongs to you! Love is freedom, not possession, not fear, and not dependence!
You are not just your body or your objects. You are a complex being with mind, soul, and spirit. Self-love means taking care of these parts of you. It means so many sources of joy, fulfillment, peace, and tranquility. Travel, read, go to museums, concerts, shows, philharmonic. Discover, experience, feel. There is yoga, meditation, spirituality – countless sources of inspiration and revelation.
Love also means kindness and indulgence. Take it easy, sometimes even jokingly (attention: not “in a cool way”). If you haven’t figured it out by now, man is not perfect, so he makes mistakes. Give yourself a break, stop accusing and punishing yourself so much. You were wrong, that’s it, the only gain you can get from a mistake is learning. And try not to repeat it again…Laugh, joke, WITH yourself, not AT you.
Nowhere in this text did I write to deal ONLY with yourself. Self-love means empathy, selflessness, support, and help. By helping others you help yourself. The value you give to others is the value you give to yourself. By loving others you love yourself. And… vice versa
Don’t forget! Self-love means balance, measure, and respect. It means modesty, not humility, it means fairness to oneself and to others. It means authenticity, and moderation, not ego.
That’s how much self-love is, and there’s so much more to say. Try to follow these and you will be surprised to discover the others as well.
You build your Value as a human being.
