(no subject)

[novapsyche]

What are keys, in your opinion, to self-love? (Sincere self-love, not vanity.)

Comments

[vylar-kaftan.livejournal.com]

Forgiveness of imperfections.

[pnkrokhockeymom.livejournal.com]

Oh, I agree with that. We are so much more forgiving and gentle with others than we are with ourselves.

[gwendally.livejournal.com]

A dildo helps. :-)

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

*smile*

I was thinking emotional self-love, not physical. ;)

[childe.livejournal.com]

Damnit, I was going to say a free hand. Heheheh.

[jdoggiedogg.livejournal.com]

Every day, when no one's around and no one can hear, I cry out, "I'm not good enough. I want to be better." Then I reflect on the fact that I'm trying to be better. I'm really trying to live up to my own standards, and I'm doing okay. I may not be great, but I'm okay. I can accept myself being okay. I can accept myself.

Accepting myself feels like a hug.

[axejudge.livejournal.com]

Before you can love yourself, you need to accept yourself, warts (physical and/or metaphorical) and all.

Also give yourself the same respect and credit you would give someone else.

[quiet-flame.livejournal.com]

Maintenance.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

One of them is definitely forgiveness. Of others, but mainly of yourself. Letting yourself be human, and letting yourself let go of things and move on.

awareness

[magicmaiden.livejournal.com]

I do agree with the forgiveness and being gentle with yourself answers.

I do think and it is my experience, that it is mandatory that you be aware of what you say to yourself and others about you. Your emotional and physical body act on every word you say/think.

Honesty with yourself. Comparing you only to yourself, since you are unique. Being willing to focus on what you DO have, gratitude.

Staying true to yourself, walking your talk, being someone you respect. If you slip, get up and get back to your path..beating yourself up does NOT work.

Dropping judgment from your life, of self and others.

Learning what makes you feel loved and giving it to yourself.

Knowing that you are like a tree, perfect at every stage, but young also, always more to learn, ways to grow/develope....love who you have been...who you are, and who you are becoming.

[brendand.livejournal.com]

Time.

[guppiecat]

Brutal self assessment and honesty, combined with holding yourself accountable for your past actions.

I don't think that it's possible to love yourself if you don't respect yourself. Forgiveness goes a long way, but until you manage to actually change yourself and mitigate or eliminate what you perceive to be your negatives, I don't think that you can respect yourself enough to love yourself.

I've been doing this since 1997... it's NOT an easy road, but I think that I am finally getting to the point where I actually do love myself.

[rikhei.livejournal.com]

Learning to trust myself has been an important aspect of my self-growth. I found myself bouncing ideas off of people repeatedly - whether it be about deeper issues I was dealing with, or details about an interaction with someone I felt a romantic or sexual interest about, or even talking about domestic things with my mother.

While I love my mother very much and don't blame her for my emotional problems, stepping away from her was my first step towards trusting my own voices and my opinions. My burgeoning self-trust has led to a deeper self-confidence.

I also agree with the commenter who suggested maintenance is a key to self-love. I am trying to dress better and keep my home tidier because they are acts of self-maintenance and self-care. They are outer expressions of my self, and I want the world to know that I believe I am worth care and love and give those things to myself.