Learning to Love Yourself Unconditionally

Is it possible to love yourself unconditionally?… Definitely!

If I asked you, ‘What do you love about yourself the most?’, what would your answer be, and does the answer come to you straight away?

Accepting who we are, flaws and all (shout out Beyoncé), can be a long journey. But with it, we recognise not only the goodness we’re made up of, but our insecurities and downfalls too. We learn not to be discouraged, but to be motivated to push through our individual challenges.

I know that loving ourselves wholeheartedly, doesn’t always come easy. But that’s why we’re human! We make mistakes and should try to better ourselves because of them. We are designed as unique individuals. Perfectly imperfect! So, do not be discouraged if you have days when your self love is at the lowest of lows.

I’ve picked out a few tips to hopefully help you on the journey to unconditional self love!

Enjoy your own company. What makes you happy? A great way to find out, is to start writing lists. Try new activities and discover a favourite. From cooking exciting dishes for the first time, to figuring out exercise routines that work for you. There are a plethora of things you can do for yourself, that will bring you happiness. To ultimately, build your self confidence and solidify your self worth. Independence is key. Make the most out of what you do on your own, so you appreciate your time was well spent.

Put yourself first. We all do a lot for those around us. Whether it’s work commitments, family responsibilities or even in social gatherings. But what about what we want for ourselves? It’s not selfish to dedicate time for the things you want to do. It’s self care. If you’re able to, treat yourself once in a while. Learn to not feel guilty or worry what others might think. Realign your focus back on you. What dreams or aspirations have you put off in the past? There’s no time like the present to rediscover what your passions are!

Say no to others. We live in a society where we aim to please. From your boss, to a family member, it’s human nature to seek acknowledgement from others. But in some instances, it’s better to say no. Think of your well-being in that moment. We have a tendency to overstretch our limits without realising! If you feel like you aren’t being treated with the respect you deserve, stand up for yourself. Understand your worth and make sure others do too.

Forgive yourself. We all make mistakes and are prone to being hard on ourselves. Remember you’re only human! Learning to love yourself despite your flaws, is an important part of your growth. Try and spend less time fixating on mistakes in the past. Instead, focus on moving forward. When a difficult thought or feeling arises, talk to yourself. Speak out loud if you have to, and suggest ways to turn that bad thought into a positive one. Your voice and words hold power. Use these to your advantage!

Trust in yourself. Doubts are the enemy of progress! If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re good enough, check out my previous post, where I go over reasons you why you are! Self love comes from within. Yes, everyone has doubts, but overcoming those shows courage and determination. Both positive traits contribute towards unconditional self love. It’s also helpful to use positive affirmations to back your belief in yourself. Because, if you don’t believe in yourself how can anyone else? Be your biggest supporter.

Remember, you’ve got this! Reaffirm your greatness, even when you make mistakes. Loving yourself unconditionally doesn’t have to be rushed. Each day can bring new challenges but accept when things don’t go your way, is not the end of the world.

So I come to you again with my first question, “What do you love about yourself the most?” Comment the first thing that comes to mind!

-Seraphina

(Check out some of my latest posts and poetry on my Instagram HERE for more content!)