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Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,030
Registered: ‎10-04-2010

Are you able to define "self-love"?

In many weight loss articles, and sometimes in others, I read "it wasn't until I loved myself". That's interesting, but kind of foreign to my way of thinking. It just makes me curious because it's not something I've thought a lot about. I guess I always thought we take care of ourselves, and tend to ourselves, and try and live right.

 

So the term "self-love" in truth, eludes me. I guess my knee-jerk reaction was because growing up it was about giving and doing for others. I'm past all that, in how it can turn out. It's about balancing give and take.

 

How do you explain "self-love"?

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,354
Registered: ‎11-24-2011

Re: Are you able to define "self-love"?

Defining that term eludes me too, along with defining what people mean when they need to "find themselves".

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,362
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Are you able to define "self-love"?


@qualitygal wrote:

In many weight loss articles, and sometimes in others, I read "it wasn't until I loved myself". That's interesting, but kind of foreign to my way of thinking. It just makes me curious because it's not something I've thought a lot about. I guess I always thought we take care of ourselves, and tend to ourselves, and try and live right.

 

So the term "self-love" in truth, eludes me. I guess my knee-jerk reaction was because growing up it was about giving and doing for others. I'm past all that, in how it can turn out. It's about balancing give and take.

 

How do you explain "self-love"?


@qualitygal

 

I'm kind of with you on that!  When I grew up, it was instilled in me to be kind to others and hopefully they would be kind in return.  I was taught not to focus on self but instead to focus on others.  By doing so, this would not only make others happier but make myself happier, too.  A sense of contentment and peace within yourself I think maybe might be a type of self-love?  I never really thought about this definition a whole lot.  I guess though if you have no respect for yourself and are unhappy and miserable, then you cannot really project happiness and love to others very well, so in essence, a person does have to possess some form of "self-love", if you will.  If you try to be a good person, try to live an honorable life and help others, I think you will like the person you see in the mirror.   Does this make any sense??   

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steve Martin
Valued Contributor
Posts: 687
Registered: ‎04-14-2010

Re: Are you able to define "self-love"?

Self- love in my definition is the following, not necessary in the order that's listed

  1. Being comfortable in one's own skin
  2. Never trying to defend your personality
  3. Acceptance of yourself, the good, the bad and the ugly.
  4. Being alone, but not lonely, not needed someone or a crowd to justify your assistance.
  5. Being kind to others, generous in spirit.
  6. Speaking up when you see or hear injustice.

My Mother once told me  I was like a little elm tree that goes up against the mighty Oak tree.(I was in 7 or 8 at the time) I spoke my mind, but was generous to a fault.Both in spirit and in action. That personality is with me today at age 61 and 4 ft 10 inches(On my Driver License ft). I am happy being me, faults and all. Can I improve, yes, as long as I am breathing.(SMILE)  

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,475
Registered: ‎03-14-2015

Re: Are you able to define "self-love"?

"It wasn't until I loved myself", means that you accept yourself just the way that you are, flaws and all. That you love the person that you are. You are comfortable in your own skin. 

 

 

You can love who you are and be a kind, giving person. That could even be the reason why you love yourself.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,030
Registered: ‎10-04-2010

Re: Are you able to define "self-love"?


@Plaid Pants2 wrote:

"It wasn't until I loved myself", means that you accept yourself just the way that you are, flaws and all. That you love the person that you are. You are comfortable in your own skin. 

 

 

You can love who you are and be a kind, giving person. That could even be the reason why you love yourself.


Ok, it's self-acceptance in all areas then. That makes sense.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,030
Registered: ‎10-04-2010

Re: Are you able to define "self-love"?


@GRACIE wrote:

Self- love in my definition is the following, not necessary in the order that's listed

  1. Being comfortable in one's own skin
  2. Never trying to defend your personality
  3. Acceptance of yourself, the good, the bad and the ugly.
  4. Being alone, but not lonely, not needed someone or a crowd to justify your assistance.
  5. Being kind to others, generous in spirit.
  6. Speaking up when you see or hear injustice.

My Mother once told me  I was like a little elm tree that goes up against the mighty Oak tree.(I was in 7 or 8 at the time) I spoke my mind, but was generous to a fault.Both in spirit and in action. That personality is with me today at age 61 and 4 ft 10 inches(On my Driver License ft). I am happy being me, faults and all. Can I improve, yes, as long as I am breathing.(SMILE)  


@GRACIE, Totally makes sense.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,143
Registered: ‎04-18-2012

Re: Are you able to define "self-love"?

Self love means looking out for yourself and doing what's best for you. When it comes to things like health it means not smoking, not binge eating, not eating a ton of sugar if you're diabetic, getting sober if you drink too much and not filling your body with ******. It doesn't mean that you're perfect everyday but that when you fail to live up to what's best for you you instead of giving up, you start over do and strive to do better. It also means not allowing toxic people to take advantage, not always being the yes person ect. 

 

I have to go. Have a great day everyone. 

Don't Change Your Authenticity for Approval
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Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,394
Registered: ‎04-19-2010

Re: Are you able to define "self-love"?

Can you look your self in the mirror and live with your choices, can you acknowledge your faults and celebrate your positives, can you forgive yourself and strive to improve, can you put yourself in another's shoes, and can you laugh at yourself? To me these are all components of self love, and I have to work on them every day. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,798
Registered: ‎05-23-2015

Re: Are you able to define "self-love"?

I think that it means believing that you are worthy of respect and kindness. So many people accept abuse and less than decent behavior because  they don't think they deserve any better.

" You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan