Discover the power of loving yourself by understanding and reflecting on your habits, behaviours, and needs. Learn how forgiveness and self-reflection can improve your quality of life and help you become your best self.
I faced many issues with confidence and self-esteem growing up and this translated into my behaviours, lifestyle preferences and relationships. Looking back I now understand this was hugely down to how I perceived myself and my idea of what I felt I deserved or should be worthy of accepting. That has changed since prioritising improving my relationship with myself and working on finding peace with my past and excitement about the future.
By implementing small but consistent changes you too can start to heal your relationship with yourself. It doesn’t have to be overnight or mean changing everything you know but it can help you learn more about your needs and wants, hopefully getting you closer to the person you want to be. We are ever-changing and should not be afraid of what waits around the corner, my only advice is to help navigate it to a preferred destination. Taking the time to address the fundamentals we can quickly cause a domino effect in other areas of our lives, leading to more fulfilment and satisfaction.
We owe it to ourselves and future generations to heal.
Get Reflecting
Having the ability to look inward is a skill that takes time to sharpen. To be truly present in life, we must understand ourselves and how we contribute to our environment. Regularly reflecting on our habits, behaviours, and current circumstances allows us to make adjustments that improve our quality of life.
Forgive Yourself
We all have made mistakes and done things we might not be proud of, but these experiences shape who we are today. Learn to forgive yourself and understand that without these bumps in the road, we cannot learn and grow as individuals. Take a moment remember where you’re coming from and appreciate where you’re going.
Invest In You
The biggest investment we can make in life is in ourselves. The more we put in, the more we get out. We live in a time where we have so much information at our disposal—use it and utilise it. Read more, connect more, learn more, and live more. Understanding that life is a journey filled with experiences and opportunities to grow will help you embrace its beauty. Don’t limit yourself, anything is possible if you truly believe it.
Forgive Your Parents
I know firsthand the negative impact my parents had on my life and the person I am today. It is unfortunate that not everyone grows up in a secure and loving home. That being said, we must reach a point in life where we start to heal and learn how to break free from the chains we have shackled ourselves in. No one is perfect, and neither are our parents. Even if they have caused unimaginable pain, we are the ones who suffer from holding on to resentment. Forgive your parents, not for them, but for yourself.
Put Yourself Out There
Our comfort zones exist to keep us feeling secure and comfortable, which is necessary in some aspects of life. However, this is not the case when trying to elevate as an individual. Staying within our habits creates a block between ourselves and our goals. Growing isn’t meant to be comfortable; change comes from discomfort and new experiences. We need to take control. Stop overthinking what could be and start doing it. New experiences and opportunities lie on the other side of fear.
Practise Gratitude
Gratitude is such an underrated skill; it helps us learn compassion for who we are, allowing us to appreciate and respect our journey. I never understood its power until I started practicing it. We live in a time where we are constantly consumed by outside opinions, the latest trends, and what still needs to be done. By slowing down and taking time to appreciate our achievements and what we already have, we can create a deeper understanding of ourselves and find peace. If we are unable to value what we already possess, how can we make room for more?
Build a Support System
People need people; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. During our most challenging times, the people around us—our friends and family—provide the comfort and reassurance we need most. Without someone to lean on, we can find ourselves spiralling into a state of despair and accepting circumstances that are not good for us. A support system creates a safe space that allows us to heal and understand what is best for us, giving us the strength to turn away anything that is not.
Self love is your first step towards a better future.
The relationship we have with ourselves is the most important relationship we will ever nurture in life. It impacts our life choices and the people we choose to have around us. Don’t think it’s too late to make changes; if we start today, the sooner our freedom is achieved. We have the power to shape our future and become the person we have always desired to be, even if we have been too afraid to believe it is possible. The journey we take to heal with allow us to gain self respect leading to self love.
By loving yourself first, you can learn to give and receive love in a healthy, fulfilling way. Teach yourself self-love before anything else.