Self-Love

“Be yourself—everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

Do you feel like you truly love yourself? I’ll admit that I’m guilty of falling short sometimes. There are moments when I don’t show up for myself the way I should. I don’t always advocate for my needs, I overextend myself, and sometimes I neglect simple things like eating well—or I overindulge with one too many glasses of wine.

But you know what? Despite those missteps, I’ve realized something important: I do love myself. Loving yourself doesn’t mean being perfect; it means recognizing your worth even when you falter. For every time I ignore my well-being, I make up for it later—whether by taking time to rest, nourish my body, or simply reminding myself that I’m a fucking goddess in my own universe!

Now that my take is out of the way let’s talk about some aspects of self-love and why it matters.

Just Fucking Show Up for Yourself!

Showing up for yourself means:

• Setting boundaries and protecting your energy.

• Saying “no” when something doesn’t serve you.

• Treating yourself with the same care and respect you’d give a loved one.

  
  

It doesn’t have to be perfect or elaborate—it’s as simple as taking a moment to breathe, move your body, or eat something that makes you feel good.

What Research Says About Self-Love

1. Self-Compassion Is Key: According to Dr. Kristin Neff, practicing self-compassion is linked to greater emotional resilience, reduced stress, and increased life satisfaction. So, when you’re hard on yourself, try swapping criticism for kindness.

   (https://self-compassion.org/; https://www.thesun.co.uk/wellness/31198786/steps-build-resilience-live-longer/)

2. It Improves Your Relationships: Loving yourself sets the standard for how others treat you. Research shows that people who practice self-love and self-acceptance are better at forming healthy, supportive relationships. (https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/self-esteem-relationship-threat-and-dependency-regulation-indepen; https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-823379.pdf)

3. Health Benefits: When you value yourself, you’re more likely to prioritize your health—whether it’s eating nourishing foods, exercising, or getting enough sleep. Self-love has even been linked to better heart health and stronger immunity! (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-positive-mindset-can-help-your-heart-2019021415999; https://drmaggieyu.com/blog/self-esteem-and-autoimmune-diseases-how-our-thoughts-affect-our-health/; https://www.summahealth.org/flourish/entries/2023/12/five-surprising-health-benefits-to-socializing-with-others; https://www.verywellhealth.com/benefits-of-yoga-8652622)

4. It Builds Confidence: Self-love allows you to embrace who you are, flaws and all. When you feel good about yourself, you’re more likely to take risks, grow, and pursue the life you deserve.

   (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/being-your-best-self/202102/the-power-self-love-and-self-compassion; https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/speaking-from-the-heart/202309/the-power-of-self-acceptance)

Self-love isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being authentic. It’s showing up, owning your worth, and saying, “I deserve good things.” So take a moment today to celebrate yourself, flaws and all. You’re terrific and deserve all the love you give to everyone else—and more.

Now, tell me—what’s one thing you’ll do today to just fucking show up for yourself? 💖