How I truly Learned to Love Myself.
Self-Love. Lets take a minute to think about that word.
Self-Love. Lets take another minute to decide what it means.
For me, Self-Love means accepting myself for my strengths and my weaknesses. It means trusting myself, protecting myself and most of all it means making myself happy and content. – FaithnTurtles
Coming to this personal definition wasn’t easy. Loving yourself, like many other things in life is often easier said than done. I have been saying I love myself for many years but
When I decided to transform my pain into purpose is when I truly began to love myself.
How I Truly Learned to Love Myself
Acceptance – Accepting Myself
“For every Man shall bear his own burden”- Galatians 6:5
I have made decisions in my life that may not have been the wisest of decisions and for a long time, I was haunted by those decisions. I was haunted by the mistakes or wrong turns I felt that I made. Yet, I claimed Self-Love.
How can I love myself but at the same time not accept myself? Logically it doesn’t make sense so I asked God to give me acceptance. Accepting yourself is the first step in loving and celebrating yourself.
A Self – Knowing that I am a Self
In learning to accept yourself you will realize that you are a self.
self-
“a person’s essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action. “
Yourself is what makes you unique. The element of your being that sets you apart from everyone else in the world. Doesn’t that sound cool?
In accepting myself I came to the realization that I am a self. I am a person with unique capabilities, unique decision-making skills, unique adversities and although these may lead to what are “common mistakes” that humans make; I am still unique in making them. This also means that I must be unique in overcoming and unique in loving myself.
I am not my decisions – Not Being Defined by isolated Actions or Decisions
You are not your decisions and I am not my decisions. After accepting myself and noting the fact that I am a self. I then noted the fact that I am not my decisions. One element of myself doesn’t define me as a person. Only I can define me, nothing or no one else can. I am not my:
- friends, family or parents
- past relationships
- failures
- successes
I am a product of what I have been through and overcame. which is a result of my experiences that have helped to shape me into a good person who does not take defeat and strives to empower others. I am a product of my
Who are you? Tell me on my Instagram : @faithnturtles
Forgiveness – Forgiving Myself
How can you accept yourself and come to a distinct understanding about your being but you have not forgiven yourself? How can you ask God for forgiveness but you have not forgiven yourself?
In the answers to these questions, I found self love.
“if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1st John 1:9
It’s a Journey – Trusting The Process
Loving yourself wont happen over night. You need to take the time to know yourself, accept yourself, forgive yourself and then the love will find you.
It’s a journey and a process of continued improvement but with faith, you will get there, if you aren’t already.
This piece was originally posted on NancyFleuidor.com as a guest entry.
Shanice DK
Shanice DK is a Freelance Writer within the beauty and wellness niche. She enjoys spending time in nature, writing, and crafting handmade items. You can catch up with Shanice on her business website - Shanicedk.site. Or on Instagram @faithnturtles.
21 Comments
Kenneth Agudo
#LoveYourself isn’t an easy task to do especially you have gone so much problems in life but its a process. Great post and very motivational. Keep it up!
Joanna
I think that one of the greatest accomplishments in life is learning to love yourself. We are so hard with our own beings and we don’t give us a chance to accept who we are and be happy with our own. Sometimes we look at each other though too critical eyes and don’t give us a chance to forgive our mistakes.
faithnturtles
You are so right! It’s truly an accomplishment 🌼 thanks for sharing your thoughts.
lau
interesting and nice post, self-love is so important!
malibluemymind.
You, Me and Benny
it definitely is a journey but oh what a journey it is!! Self love is so important!!
faithnturtles
Indeed 🌼
Chad
Everyone should read this post! I can’t thank you enough for sharing it with us, love it! Self love is something we all need to practice.
faithnturtles
🙏 thank you so much and thanks for reading.
thebusyboymama
I think figuring out that you’re not your decisions is so important!
owengigg
Self-respect probably trumps self-love. Interesting article.
Flavia
I love this articles and your points. Yes, forgiving ourselves is a must if we want to truly love ourselves. Thanks for sharing!
faithnturtles
Thanks for reading 🌼
Razena
I loved this article as it mirrors my own processes and development over the years. In the end I think for me the most important part was forgiving myself for all my mistakes.
faithnturtles
Thank you! Forgiving yourself is often the hardest but most important. ♥️🌼
Alexandra Cook
I agree, learning to love yourself is important. Enjoy each day and especially enjoy the simple things in life!
Preet
Thanks for sharing this. Pausing to take stock and think about our motivation for doing things is so important. This was a great read, thanks
Samar
The point here is if we don’t love and respect ourselves, no one else will
Purva
Well said. Acceptance and forgiveness are two very important things in loving onself.
aisasami
Self-love is still hard for many, especially me, because it is not easy.
jeannette9712gmailcom
It is hardest for me to forgive those who have hurt me the most. it is as if i don’t really understand what forgiveness looks like for me. I know what is looks like for Christ, but I feel as if I am incapable of it at times.
Danielle W.
Loving yourself allows you to truly love others. Love this article.