Self-love takes practice and consistency. By creating routines that focus on our wellbeing, we can take back control of our lives. But it’s something we must work on continuously. Family expectations can make this difficult. There’s often pressure to conform and put others first. But true balance comes from valuing ourselves too.
The routines below can easily be incorporated into our life:
Listen to Yourself
Find somewhere to sit quietly and allow your mind space to talk to you. Get to know yourself. Pay attention to your thoughts without judgment and let the truths emerge. What you listen to is what you will learn. Let what you learn, inform the way you understand yourself so that you can move yourself towards a greater self-acceptance.
Learn to Care for Yourself
But first we must learn to like ourselves.Without liking ourselves, we can never get to know or care for ourselves. Get to know you. Look at the things you like about yourself and work on the things you don’t like. Think about the things you give up to do for others and give yourself time to do those things for yourself.
Look at Your Qualities
Are you someone who genuinely cares for others, or do you focus only on yourself? Do you go out of your way to help, or are you caught up in your own world? However you see yourself, it's important to work on the things that you need to change.
Deep down, we know what we need to improve, and yet we often resist what others see in us. Instead of arguing or staying in denial, acknowledge what belongs to you. Only then can real change begin.
Forgive Yourself
It’s important not to hone-in-on the mistakes you’ve made on the back of your childhood. Beating yourself up won’t improve your potential, your outlook, neither will it change the past. Instead try to look at it as a stepping-stone. A way to move forward with a purposeful understanding.
Self-love takes practice. It's not something that happens overnight. It's making lifestyle choices about yourself. The long-term aim is to love yourself – liking yourself is the first step.
Conclusion
Self-love is something that needs to be continually honed because in a moment it's something that can change. Environment, parentage, childhood and everyday stress can change how we feel about ourselves.
This is definitely something I need to work on, since I was raised in an environment where my feelings and what I wanted didn't really matter.
My mother brainwashed me into being the perfect people pleaser, and which is why I find it difficult to say no to people. It's also why I have ended up in so many toxic relationships. I can't do it right now, since I have once again been trapped in an abusive and very toxic relationship where I am pretty much told I'm selfish on a daily basis.
You would seriously think I was insane considering what I have given to this woman without a seconds thought. I have often wondered it myself seeing as I have tolerated this treatment for well over a decade.
People have told me many times to leave, but when you have been treated a certain way for so long, you don't know anything different.
The other issue is that as a man this normally doesn't happen, but I have come to understand why it is that women stay, even in the worst relationships. You live what you know. It has taken me a very long time to believe that I am worthy and don't have to continue tolerating this kind of treatment.
It is going to take a lot of practice for me to get used to taking care of myself, but I have to believe that it's okay for me to do so.
Thanks Randy. Sadly, it happens to both men and women. I hope you find today's blog helpful.
Self-love is something we must all practice. It's what makes the world a sweeter place. We cannot function, let alone well without self-love.
You're worthy of giving and receiving love Randy. It's something we must all work on and continue to work on. We're all worthy of giving and receiving love.