“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” -Lucille Ball
Your relationship with yourself is the most important relationship you will have in your life, yet somehow it’s also the easiest to neglect. Maybe you are so busy caring for others, fulfilling external obligations, and crossing all the items off your to-do list that you put aside or altogether forget to consider your personal needs and priorities. As important as it may seem for us to care for our families, our friends, our businesses, and our communities, we cannot do any of those things properly if we are constantly neglecting ourselves.
Whether you realize it or not, your self-love shapes the way you view your experiences and relationships with others and your ability to have compassion for others as well. In our increasingly busy world, there may be times when you don’t even realize that weeks have passed you by without taking a moment for yourself. It may seem like we can get more accomplished if we just power through and ignore our own needs, but eventually self-neglect will catch up to you and begin to negatively affect all the other aspects of your life.
If you are like many others out there who sometimes forget how important you are, here are a few simple tips for any situation that will change the way you value yourself, treat yourself, and love yourself:
Define your own personal version of success. Ask yourself what living a successful life means to you. Revisit that definition often and allow it to change over time if necessary. Do not let the expectations of others determine your goals or your self-worth.
Be your biggest fan. Pay attention to your inner dialogue. When speaking to yourself, make sure your words remain positive, uplifting, and encouraging. Embrace your strengths and weaknesses because your uniqueness is what makes you special.
Be forgiving. Everyone makes mistakes and experiences setbacks. When we practice forgiveness, regrets and mistakes become learning opportunities. Instead of holding on to the past, allow yourself to move on and process your experience so that in the future, you will be more prepared to handle similar situations.
Be yourself. Instead of wasting time measuring yourself against others, measure your own performances and compete with yourself in order to build your skills and improve your life on your own terms. You cannot be anyone else so why waste time trying? Your time is better spent cultivating the best version of yourself.
Be positive. When things get tough, smile, laugh, and look for the bright side even when it seems impossible. This will help manage stress and give you the extra boost you need to stand up and face whatever challenges you encounter.
When we pay attention to our needs, we not only enjoy more happiness in our personal lives, but we also build healthier relationships with others. Make it a habit to treat yourself with kindness and respect. No matter what you are trying to accomplish in your life, valuing your own needs is invaluable!
