Love and acceptance starts with you!

Acceptance and love. It seems simple, but many of us do not have it. Do you have an inner voice in your head that tells you that you are not enough? Do you tend to over-adapt to others? Do you often analyze your mistakes and wonder what others think about them? Start working on self-acceptance and self-love.

Self-love is one of the most important feelings we can develop. It is like a delicate flower that requires attention, patience and care. Self-love does not appear overnight – it is a process that takes time and work. However, remember that every small step towards self-acceptance and self-love is of great importance.

While it may seem difficult for many of us to achieve, accepting and loving yourself is the foundation of mental health, good relationships and inner harmony.

Why is self-love important?

Self-love is not egoism or narcissism. It is a healthy relationship with yourself, based on acceptance, understanding and gentleness. When we love ourselves, it is easier for us to cope with challenges, accept our imperfections and forgive ourselves for our mistakes. It is also the basis for building healthy relationships with other people. When we are able to give ourselves love, we do not expect others to "fill us" with it. We become more independent, fulfilled and ready to share our happiness.

Lack of self-love often leads to low self-esteem, chronic guilt, and even health problems. That's why it's worth making this feeling a priority. It's an investment that will pay off in every aspect of our lives.

Self-acceptance

Self-acceptance is the foundation of self-love. It means recognizing and accepting ourselves as we are – without conditions, demands or judgments. It is consent to our emotions, experiences, appearance and past.

Practicing self-acceptance starts with understanding that no one is perfect. Our flaws and mistakes are a part of us and can be valuable lessons. Instead of focusing on what we would like to change about ourselves, let's try to see our strengths and what makes us unique.

If you find yourself criticizing your body, try to look at it with gratitude. Think about how much it does for you – it allows you to walk, laugh, hug your loved ones. You can also try saying one positive sentence to yourself every day, such as “I am enough just the way I am.”

Remember that self-acceptance is a process. You may have days where you feel worse, and that's okay. The important thing is not to give up and not go back to criticizing yourself. Instead, remind yourself that you are in the process of growth and every step toward acceptance matters.

What to do to practice self-love?

By working on self-acceptance you can develop love in many ways. In this post I will show you how to proceed to develop this beautiful feeling towards yourself.

Take care of your body and health

Your body is your home for life. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, adequate sleep, and regular check-ups is an expression of respect and love for yourself.

Listen to your body's signals and don't ignore your needs. For example, try to introduce a short walk or exercise that you enjoy into your day. Set aside time for a care ritual with cosmetics that also act as aromatherapy. This could be 60 minutes in the bathroom, where you light a scented candle , apply a mask , massage your body with a scented oil or do a facial massage with a beautiful rose scented oil . Do what you like. Remember, you decide.

Set healthy boundaries

Say “no” when you feel something is crossing your boundaries. Respect your emotions and priorities. You don’t have to please everyone, your well-being is equally important. For example, if you feel someone is demanding too much from you, calmly explain why you need time for yourself. Setting boundaries is important to feel good about yourself.

Practice gratitude

Take a moment every day to appreciate yourself and your life. You can keep a gratitude journal where you write down the things you are grateful for. Write there not only the bigger achievements but also the small daily successes. For example, write down "I am grateful that I took the time to go for a walk today" or "I appreciate your patience during a difficult conversation". Remember that you always have a reason to be grateful.

Stop comparing yourself

Comparing yourself to others is a natural human tendency, but remember that we all have our own path and our own pace. Comparing yourself to others is a trap that takes away the joy. Instead, focus on your growth and appreciate the progress you are making. Realize that you are only seeing part of the reality when you look at social media. If you find yourself comparing yourself to someone on social media, take a break from it and focus on your goals.

Be gentle with yourself

When you make mistakes, be kind to yourself. Instead of criticizing yourself, think about what you would say to a loved one in a similar situation, and then say it out loud to yourself. For example, instead of thinking, “I suck at forgetting that appointment,” tell yourself, “Everyone forgets sometimes. I’ll make a note of it in my calendar next time.”

Surround yourself with people who support you

Relationships have a huge impact on how we feel. Choose people who inspire, motivate, and support you. Avoid toxic relationships that lower your self-esteem. For example, if you feel uncomfortable around someone, give yourself permission to limit your contact with that person. However, if you have to maintain such relationships for some reason, remember to set boundaries.

Do things that make you happy

Find time for your passions and interests. It is not a luxury, but a necessity. Doing what you love gives you energy and builds a positive attitude towards yourself. If you love reading, set aside evenings with a book and a cup of tea. If you love art, try to create something of your own, even if it is just for fun.

What NOT to do when working on self-acceptance?

Working on self-acceptance is a process that requires patience, but there are certain traps that can slow you down or even set you back in this development.

You will not build love and self-acceptance if you do not get rid of self-criticism. Criticizing yourself weakens your self-esteem. Learn to notice your thoughts and replace negative words with constructive ones. For example, instead of thinking "I will never succeed at this", tell yourself "It's a challenge, but I can try."

Also, striving for perfection can lead to burnout and feeling like you’re never good enough. Allow yourself to be human. For example, if something didn’t work out perfectly, think, “I did the best I could in this moment, and that’s okay.”

Remember not to neglect yourself. Do not ignore your needs in the name of duties or the expectations of others. Remember that you have the right to rest and take care of yourself. For example, if you feel tired after returning from work, you do not have to immediately take on household chores such as cleaning or laundry. Instead of taking on more tasks, allow yourself at least a moment of relaxation, but real relaxation. Drink a cup of tea in peace, listen to music or just lie on the couch.

When our lives need to change

Our body almost always lets us know that something is wrong. Symptoms can be divided into emotional, mental, physical and social. Check if the symptoms listed below apply to you. If so, re-read the chapter What to do to practice self-love and start taking action.

Emotional symptoms

• Constant self-criticism - You have an inner voice in your head telling you that you are not enough, that you are doing everything wrong.
• Low self-esteem – You feel like you don’t deserve love, success, happiness.
• Guilt and shame – Even for minor mistakes you feel guilty and dwell on them for a long time.
• Difficulty accepting compliments – You don’t believe it when someone says something nice to you because deep down you feel inadequate.
• Fear of rejection – You tend to over-adapt to others just to be accepted.

Psychiatric symptoms

• Perfectionism and excessive self-discipline – You feel like you have to be the best at everything or you will have no value.
• Comparing yourself to others – You often think that others have it better, look better, are more valuable.
• Difficulty making decisions – Lack of self-confidence makes you afraid to make choices because you do not trust your own judgment.
• Putting on masks – You hide your true emotions and needs so that others will accept you.

Physical symptoms

• Fatigue and lack of energy – The stress associated with low self-esteem can lead to exhaustion.
• Sleep problems – Over-analyzing your mistakes and thinking about the future makes it difficult to fall asleep.
• Eating problems – Emotional eating or excessive dietary control as a form of “punishment.”
• Avoiding mirrors and photos – You feel dislike about your appearance and find it difficult to look at yourself objectively.

Social symptoms

• Avoiding relationships or toxic relationships – You may be afraid of closeness because you don’t feel worthy of love, or on the contrary – you enter into relationships where you are underappreciated.
• Constantly seeking approval – Your worth depends on what others think of you.
• Escaping into work or activities – Constantly keeping yourself occupied with something so as not to be left alone with yourself and your thoughts.

Joy of life is the basis of success

Life often presents us with various responsibilities, challenges and stressful situations, which is why it is so important to find time for what brings us genuine joy. These are the moments that help us recharge our internal batteries, strengthen our sense of happiness and make life more satisfying. So do the things that bring you joy!

How to find what brings you joy?

Ask yourself what you always liked to do as a child. Often our old passions can become a source of joy again. Start experimenting. Try new things! Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and discover new interests. Notice when you lose track of time. If you're doing something that absorbs you completely, it's a sign that it may be your passion. And of course, don't judge yourself too harshly. You don't have to be the best at something to do it. It's about your enjoyment, not perfection!

Self-acceptance and self-love is a journey, not an instant effect. It is a process that requires patience, time and commitment. Every, even the smallest step towards greater self-care has great value and brings you closer to inner harmony. Be your own best friend. Hug yourself in your thoughts, speak to yourself with love and enjoy your presence. You are worth it.