If you are reading this, then you are probably wondering; what is self-love? But there is no one size fits all definition for self-love since different people do different things to develop and improve love towards themselves. However, it is important to know that self-love is a journey. It starts by resolving to love yourself daily, embracing your strengths and weaknesses, and watching yourself become the best version you can ever be. Having known that this is an infinite journey, then the big question is, why does it matter? Why self-love is important? Here are the reasons as to why self-love is important and why you need to cultivate it.
Helps You in Setting Boundaries
Self-love allows you to know what you can and can’t do. This sense of self-awareness is important in setting healthy boundaries with your significant other, family, friends, and colleagues. When you love and treat yourself with respect, you automatically demand that others do the same, and you can easily cut off people who do not respect the set boundaries. As a result, you end up having healthy, fulfilling relationships.
It Gives You a Sense of Fulfillment
We would all want to be loved and fully appreciated by those around us. However, for different reasons, this is not always the case. No one has an understanding of yourself, your likes and dislikes, and innermost thoughts more than you do. The lack of this understanding by others can always leave you feeling empty. Self-love bridges the gap of love left by the external sources.
It Helps You Stop Seeking Approval
The more you love and respect yourself, the more you stop thinking about what others think about you and your opinions. Self-love liberates you from the prison of being a people pleaser. You stop doing things for the sake of being liked. You become more genuine, authentic, and unapologetically yourself. Self-love, acceptance, and approval help you live a life based on your values instead of what others expect of you.
It Teaches You to Enjoy Me-Time
Most people fill their free time with going on dates, partying, meetings, etc. to avoid being alone. This often culminates in one developing unhealthy habits. Lack of self-love is at times manifested in one always running away from spending time with themselves.
Self-love helps you enjoy being alone without being lonely. It helps you learn to do things you enjoy alone. You thus pick up hobbies and cultivate skills, which make you appreciate yourself even more. Time spent alone also allows you to reflect on your past life, current life, and based on this. You make informed decisions about the future.
Me-time also helps you develop a stronger relationship with yourself, which boosts your confidence.
It Helps You Stop Seeking Happiness in Others
Happiness is said to be an inside job and self-love helps you realize exactly that. The more you love and accept yourself, the more you realize that you don’t need people and things to feel loved; you have all the love you need!
Self-love has many benefits, and like any other journey, you will learn how to do this on the way and with time. Start now and slowly, but surely you will reap these and more benefits.