Self-love is the first step to finding a partner that truly loves you for you. Without a clear understanding of who you are as an individual, it is difficult to attract the perfect partner, but when you have a healthy relationship with yourself, you will know your value and never settle for less.
Do you know the 4 Pillars of Self-love? I am going to break down each one and discuss why they play an important role in building a strong and healthy relationship with yourself:
1. Self-care
This incorporates much more than just a massage or a spa day. While those are both good options for self-care and relaxation, self-care should include paying attention to more than just your physical needs. Positive self-talk, nourishing your mind by learning new things, and establishing a healthy routine that you can stick to are all important aspects of self-care. Remember, self-care is not a reward. It’s your given right because you are worthy just by being you.
2. Self-acceptance
True self-acceptance is embracing who you are, without any qualifications, conditions, or exceptions. It is the foundation of self-esteem because even at your lowest point, you will know your true value. You will not let your flaws or your setbacks define you and you will not entertain relationships that do not align with your core values.
3. Self-compassion
Rather than ignoring your pain or experiencing it with self-criticism, be mindful of your experiences and honest with yourself about how you feel without being judgmental. It is important to be understanding toward yourself when you suffer, fail, or feel inadequate because it is a part of life and only temporary.
4. Self-appreciation
This means being thankful for who you are and recognizing the value that lies within you. True self-appreciation is not feeling like you are better than others, but rather it is knowing your strengths and believing that you are a unique and valuable person no matter what.
As you can see, Self-love is about much more than just exercise and R&R. It’s cultivating your core belief about yourself and taking the time to reinforce that belief through introspection and positive thoughts and actions.