Self-love means that you forgive yourself of your past errors and mistakes; you continue to strive to be the BEST person you can be. It's important to note that loving yourself does not mean that you are selfish or condone your past mistakes. But simply you treat yourself fairly and with respect.
Here are three tips to help you love yourself:
1. Stop being hard on your self.
Beating yourself up may have the short term effect of making your work hard. However, the price of this may be costly in the sense of resentment to self, sense of defeat, and emotional scars.
2. Implement the Golden Rule and include your self.
The Golden Rule, as we teach to younger children, is to treat others as we would wish to be treated. What if we added a little twist to this? Treat ourselves the same standards as we treat others. You would never call you mother, best friend, or child "stupid." Why would you call yourself that?
3. Forgive your self.
Striving to be your best maybe one of your goals in life. However, it is important to cut your self some slack when you fall short of your expectations. Making a mistake or not being perfect is apart of being human. If you make a mistake or didn't give it your 100%, its okay. Simply, dust your shoes off, pick your self up, and move forward.
Love your self for who you are and all of your parts. Start today and love you!
Namaste ~Kacee Tannenbaum, LCSW