Today was a real “ah-ha” moment for me. I was listening to the haunting melodies of Noah Kahn’s “The View Between Villages” when suddenly, the lyrics spoke directly to my soul.

As I reflected on my life, I found myself pondering the journey that has brought me to this beautiful place of self-love and acceptance. It’s been a bumpy ride, full of ups and downs, with moments of triumph and heartbreak.

Life is balanced, if nothing else. One particularly toxic relationship forced me to confront the darkest corners of my mind. The process of healing was far from easy, as it required a tremendous amount of effort and brutal honesty. As I looked back on that particular experience, I wondered if it was a one-off or if I had a deeper pattern of self-sabotaging behaviors that needed to be addressed.

The thing is, humans are creatures of habit. Have you ever noticed that you keep attracting the same types of relationships, experiences, or emotions into your life? It’s as if the universe is repeating the same lessons, throwing the same challenges at you, until you finally realize that the common denominator is…you!

Until you’re tired of your own patterns, until you’re fed up with settling for less than what you deserve, and until you finally love yourself enough to raise your standards and believe you’re worthy of holding them….the universe will continue to repeat itself.

The Power of Loving Yourself

The truth is, until you learn to love yourself more, you’ll continue to accept the love that mirrors how you truly feel about yourself. You’ll attract relationships — even friendships that are a reflection of your own self-worth, and experiences that mirror your own self-love.

But here’s the thing: the answer to everything you desire is within you. You don’t need to look elsewhere for happiness, validation, or fulfillment. You just need to learn to love yourself more.

How Can You Practice Self-Love?

You can start showing up for yourself and practicing self-love, in a few simple ways:

• Take time for yourself each day to do something that brings you joy.
• Practice self-compassion and speak kindly to yourself — whenever I need a boost, I bombard my mirror with words of affirmation.
• Set healthy boundaries and prioritize your own needs, as anyone who doesn’t respect your boundaries…doesn’t respect you.
• Focus on your strengths and accomplishments. This means celebrating your wins, no matter how seemingly small.
• Treat yourself with kindness and respect. You set the standard for how others treat you.

Why Self-Love Matters

Having a healthy relationship with yourself is crucial for your overall well-being. When you love yourself, you’re more likely to:

• Set healthy boundaries and prioritize your own needs
• Develop a positive sense of self-worth
• Make choices that align with your values and goals
• Build stronger, more meaningful relationships with others
• Experience greater joy, happiness, and fulfillment

What Happens When You Don’t Practice Self-Love

On the other hand, when you don’t practice self-love, you may:

• Struggle with low self-esteem and self-doubt
• Settle for less than what you deserve in relationships
• Feel unfulfilled and restless
• Experience anxiety and depression
• Struggle to build strong, meaningful relationships with others

As you continue on your journey of self-discovery, remember this: “I am worthy of love and respect, from myself and others.”

So, I ask you: how will you show up for yourself today?