I love you is a statement that easily flows off your tongue as you say goodbye to your kids, partner or even your best friend. Leaving a sweet note for them to find with affirming words of love seems natural.

Yet when was the last time you looked in the mirror and gave yourself that same love and attention?

I know, it is easier to brush aside your own needs and put others needs in front of your own. In fact, when you do this, you might even feel filled up with love. I feel the same way too. I love to make others feel special and share with them how much I love them.

But, what about the idea of loving yourself and prioritizing your selflove?

I didn’t always love myself, in fact I spent more time finding ways to show others that I loved them that I neglected the one person that needed love the most, me.

Loving myself was what other people were supposed to do and in return I would love them back. That’s how it works, right?

That’s what I thought until I realized that often the love I shared with others wasn’t always equally shared with me. I felt disappointed that the excitement I exuded towards another was met with silence, a blank stare or an obligatory “love you too”.

I had to get curious why there seemed to be an imbalance of giving love vs. my level of receiving love.

Have you found yourself feeling drained in a relationship, wishing for more joy and less anxiety, or wondering why your relationships never seem to fulfill your needs?

You are going to want to keep reading to find out just why self-love is so important for your personal satisfaction and well-being and how you can start to love yourself today.

5 Reasons why loving yourself is important

• The way you love yourself is the way other people learn to love you

The direct quote from Rupi Kaur is “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you”. Whoa, if that doesn’t make you stop and think.

 Like attracts like, so if you are seeking validation and love from someone else you are likely attracting another person looking for the same love and validation that you need. Everything starts with you and the more you can love yourself, the more you will experience more meaningful relationships.

When you put the focus on giving yourself love first and honoring your needs and values you are more likely to find and attract a partner that can love you as deeply as you deserve.

So take a minute to look in the mirror, wrap your arms around yourself, smile and say the 3 little words we all long to hear. “I love you”. Now this may seem silly or feel uncomfortable, but by showing yourself this love you will be able to let others love you more deeply.  

• Self love can boost your confidence

When you start to love yourself, you are less likely to place critical judgements on yourself. You are more likely to stop comparing yourself to others as you recognize that you are unique and there is no one else in this world that can do, say, or have the impact that you are here to bring.

By filling yourself with self-love, positive thoughts and words of affirmation you are creating the building blocks to personal confidence.  

Those building blocks create a knowing inside of you that you are worthy of love, that you do matter and that you can try new things, make tough decisions and go after what matters most to you.

Check out the Affirmation and Mindset Mini Training found here.

• Creating healthier habits starts with loving yourself

To live a full life, you need to take care of your mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Self-love creates the steppingstones towards self-compassion and acceptance. When you start to talk kindly to the reflection in the mirror you become less critical of yourself and others.

As you start to become less critical of yourself you start to understand that your needs matter and that taking care of your well-being is a priority. You start to soften your approach to life in a very positive way.

 Self-love isn’t selfish. It means putting your oxygen mask on first. Isn’t that you are always told to do anyway?

Healthier habits can be small changes like getting more rest, taking a walk-in nature, and making better food choices.

These small adjustments are reinforcing the love you have for yourself.

For more inspiration read 5 of the best quotes for self care.

• Loving yourself helps to manage anxiety and depression

In this article from Medical News Today it is discussed how self-love and compassion are key for mental health, well-being, and keeping depression and anxiety at bay.

When you don’t love the reflection in the mirror your self-confidence takes a beating. You find all the imagined things wrong with yourself glaring at you like flashing lights. You let the stories spin in your head and the guilt rise up until it feels all encompassing.

When you look in the mirror and you feel good about your reflection and you provide yourself love and acceptance the day and tasks ahead feel easier and manageable.

Stop reading right now, take a deep breathe, look at yourself in a mirror and say at least one positive comment to the brave and beautiful woman staring back at you.

• True happiness blooms as you embrace loving yourself

People are unpredictable and just like you they are also struggling with loving themselves. To expect someone else to fill your need for love sets you up for disappointment and puts a lot of pressure on other people to give you what you can give yourself.

There is one person who will always be there to support you, respect you and love you unconditionally. That person is you.

No one else can love you like you can love yourself. Only you know all your likes and dislikes. You know when you need extra attention or no attention at all. You are the master gardener of your life and happiness. You have the knowledge to know what you need to bloom bright and shine your light. 

When you fill your heart with self-love you plant the seeds for your personal happiness to blossom.

Look within yourself for unconditional love, understanding and acceptance. Gifting yourself with this kindness every day is true self-love that will create lasting happiness and satisfaction within you.

Say YES to loving yourself.

Keep these reminders close to you and remember that you are the creator of your life, happiness and well-being. It starts with self-love and acceptance.

In summary and as an easy reference here are the 5 reasons why loving yourself is important.

• The way you love yourself is the way other people learn to love you

• Self-love will boost your confidence

• Creating healthier habits starts with loving yourself

• Loving yourself helps to manage anxiety and depression

• True happiness blooms as you embrace loving yourself