What is self-love and why it is important, and how we can achieve it?
"Do you love Me?" Alice asked.
"No, I don't love you!" replied the White Rabbit.
Alice frowned and clasped her hands together as she did whenever she felt hurt.
"See?" replied the White Rabbit. "Now you're going to start asking yourself what makes you so imperfect and what did you do wrong so that I can't love you at least a little.
You know, that's why I can't love you. You will not always be loved Alice, there will be days when others will be tired and bored with life, will have their heads in the clouds, and will hurt you.
Because people are like that, they somehow always end up hurting each other's feelings, whether through carelessness, misunderstanding, or conflicts with themselves.
If you don't love yourself, at least a little, if you don't create an armor of self-love and happiness around your heart, the feeble annoyances caused by others will become lethal and will destroy you.
The first time I saw you I made a pact with myself: 'I will avoid loving you until you learn to love yourself.' "
Our world is exactly like the rabbit said, people will be unavailable, people will be coming to a relationship with a baggage, and if we constantly seek for other people's validation, we will not gain peace or love. Because we need to practice that everything we need is within us.
The self-love concept in modern days have been twisted. We thought putting our needs always first, it is a practice of self-love. But in reality, this could be an act of hurting someone or being selfish.
What we should learn is rather, understand each other's boundaries, and holding each other's best interest and see if we are compatible after understand those boundaries and interests.
Because as a human being, to connect or to be connected that make us a communities, and when people live in the harmony community, we could develop healthy relationship and cultivate self-growth much easily. So here I am listing down few things we can practice for ourselves first.
Self-love refers to the practice of valuing and caring for oneself, both physically and emotionally. It involves treating yourself with kindness, compassion, and respect, and acknowledging your own worth and importance.
Here are some ways you can practice self-love:
Take care of your physical health: This includes things like eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and practicing good hygiene.
Practice self-care: Take time to do things you enjoy, such as reading, taking a bath, meditating, or practicing a hobby.
Set boundaries: Learn to say no to things that don't serve you or that cause you stress, and communicate your needs and boundaries to others.
Practice positive self-talk: Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. Speak to yourself with kindness and compassion.
Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would give to a close friend who is going through a difficult time.
Practice mindfulness: Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment, and focus on the present moment.
Cultivate positive relationships: Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you, and let go of toxic relationships.