It’s easier to love ourselves when things are going well and we’re at our best. When things appear to be falling perfectly into place. When our hard work is paying off. Self-love is easier when we feel like we have our shit together and we can give ourselves credit for a job well done.
Let’s call it what it is – a practice of self-love. It’s a practice because it’s a skill we have to learn through repetition and habit. Because the more we do it, the better we get at it. It’s a practice because we may not always get it right but that doesn’t mean we should stop trying.
The real practice of self-love happens in those fleeting moments where it’s tough to be kind and compassionate to ourselves.
Practicing self-love is loving ourselves in any way we can, particularly when we feel the least lovable. Can you love yourself when you say something that doesn’t come out right, rather than replaying a conversation a hundred other ways in your head? Can you love yourself when you feel like you let someone down? How about when you lie? Can you love yourself at the end of a day where you feel like you didn’t crush your to-do list?
When we choose to accept ourselves as we are in each moment, we’re practicing self-love. When we’re compassionate to ourselves, even when it’d be easier to be critical, we’re practicing self-love. When we let go of the things we can’t change, we’re practicing self-love.
In the end, when we learn to love ourselves more, we’re also learning how to love others.
And now, maybe more than ever, the world sure could use some more love.
xoxo
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