Self- love

Self love...a self explanatory word, right? What else could self love possibly mean other than 'loving yourself'? Or 'love for self'?

Self love is a little more complex than that. It is something that can be found, developed, faked, forced, practiced and so much more. Simply put, it is an appreciation for self.

There are many reasons why self love is important. It boosts one's self esteem, confidence and belief in self. Another reason why it is important is because you're accompanying yourself since the day you were conceived to the day you die. It's best to actively look for reasons why you appreciate your company as it will make sure you never feel like you don't belong here. Because you do, and might as well realise it!

How to practice self love?

There are many ways in which you can feel your love for self and express it. Let's list out a few (remember, self love is not a hard and fast practice with rules. You can do it in your unique ways too!)

1. No compare!

Every person you come accross either directly or indirectly, has a unique past, experiences, personality and journey. They may be better at some things and that might make you compare yourself to them and beat yourself down. This is the worst thing you can do, considering that you have your own strengths too! There is nothing wrong in taking inspiration from others to be better. But always make sure, the comparison is constructive.

2. Introspect

With so much happening around us, it is easy to lose touch with ourselves once in a while. But, make sure you make up for this distance with frequent sessions of introspection where you declutter your thoughts, organise then into your likes and dislikes, prioritise and more.

3. Merci beaucoup!

Gratitude is what we're talking about. Be grateful for all your abilities and talents. Recognise your strengths and what makes you happy. Be grateful for the presence of these and express is by screaming a loud "THANK YOU!" to yourself.

4. What are you doing?!

Be mindful of what practices you indulge in. To express love to yourself, start with eating healthy food and staying hydrated! Also, get those shoes you've had an eye on forever! Once you get them, neatly put the box away and sleep for a good 7-8 hours because that's what a typical body needs to relax and refresh. And hey! Don't forget to clean your environment, declutter and meditate! These small things go a long way and can be counted as being kind to yourself.

5. Forgive.

We're human and we have flaws. Accept those and move on. Don't be harsh on yourself and beat yourself up for not being 'perfect'. Perfection is a construct. Don't bother aiming for it at the expense of your mental health. When you make mistakes, step back and see where you went wrong and try to be better next time. Don't just start hating on yourself for not getting something right! You're allowed to make mistakes. We're all doing life for the first time and don't have everything figured out and that's okay. Accept it and love yourself for trying!

You're an asset to the world and to yourself. Appreciate your quirks, your smile, your talents, your body, your taste in music, your kindness, your bravery and everything else.