“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” – Lucille Ball

If only it were that easy.

Even individuals with healthy self-esteem wrestle with some degree of doubt, and when if ever, to put themselves first.

Because loving one’s self often gets entwined with selfishness.

When in fact, it’s hard to love someone well if we don’t know how to love ourselves properly.

And if we do not take the time to nourish that love.

We believe it’s noble to keep giving and doing for others. It is, but not at the total cost of another individual. Life and love demand balance. Tending to others while neglecting ourselves can lead to burnout or bitterness.

Because even the most generous human beings have limits.

We can only offer as much as our strength permits and giving too much love away without keeping any for ourselves will drain us.

Self-love is smart.

It’s a part of self-care, self-respect, and boundaries. It’s learning to be self-responsible, accountable, and mature. It’s knowing how to care for and protect ourselves so we can be the best version of ourselves and give and love abundantly.

Therefore, when we find ourselves struggling to carve out time for ourselves, believe in ourselves, set limits, or make ourselves a priority…

Here are 3 Powerful Reasons to Love Yourself

You are a child of God

God does not make mistakes.

You were created uniquely and individually with a powerful purpose and distinct gifts.

It is your responsibility to protect and guard those God-given qualities that make you – YOU.

This demands self-care and nurturing.

What talents need to be grown and developed? What personality traits need tending to? In other words, if you have the soul of an artist get painting. If you were born with a tremendous joy of life but a job or relationship is stealing it then move on.

God created you and it will take self-love to make sure no one changes His perfect being.

 

You are setting an example

“People treat us the way we teach them to treat us.” – Wayne Dyer

You have to have boundaries and set limits in your relationships and your life.

If you don’t things will work for a while but eventually, you will burn out professionally and/or personally.

You need to set an example for others to ensure you are treated in a manner which protects you and your aforementioned gifts and purpose. You can work diligently in the office but still set limits. You can be kind and caring in a relationship but still, recognize you deserve the same treatment.

You must recognize your own value.

And not just significant others, friends, co-workers, bosses, and family are watching.

Your children are watching you determine your value to others.

 

You need to be your own friend

Would you tell a friend to work towards exhaustion or to love and care for themselves?

It’s time to shut down your typical inner dialogue.

And ask yourself what would I tell a friend in my situation?

Would I tell them to keep staying late for an ungrateful boss?

To keep giving to a Significant Other who never gives back?

To keep helping the friend who never has time for them?

To go ahead and write that great American novel or take a long-awaited trip?

To learn how to say no every once in a while?

Give yourself the support you need and would offer to a friend.

It will always remind you to love yourself the way you love others.

 

 

 

Self-love isn’t selfish.

It is critical and it is necessary.

And it forms the foundation of love within us.

In order to love others fully, we must love ourselves first.

 

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