Learn to love who you are Positive self talk
Learning to love yourself helps you overcome challenges.
Why not find a new friend in 2024 – yourself! Being treated with kindness, respect and love are things you would expect from a good friendship and you shouldn’t have to go far to find them. Start by being your own friend.
What does self-love mean?
Loving yourself, also called self-love, means being as kind to yourself as you are to others. Imagine your best friend is worried or upset, then think about how you’d support them and try to make them feel better. Self-love means giving yourself the love, care and respect you might give your friends and family. Becky Goddard-Hill, the author of Create Your Own Confidence, tells The Week Junior it means valuing yourself at all times. “It’s speaking to yourself with kindness and encouragement, and it means taking really good care of your body and mind.”
Why does it matter?
Learning to love who you are strengthens your self-esteem (how you feel about yourself). The mental health charity
YoungMinds says this makes you believe in yourself and feel that you deserve good things – such as kind friends and fun experiences. It doesn’t mean you’ll be happy all the time, YoungMinds explains, but when you do face challenges they’ll be easier to overcome. Studies show that self-love can help friendships, schoolwork and health. “There is always someone looking out for you,” says Goddard-Hill, “because that person is you.”
Love yourself better
Start by being kind, especially if you make a mistake. Instead of being angry, tell yourself that everyone gets things wrong sometimes. Then work out what you could do differently next time. Try not to compare yourself to others and remember that no-one is perfect. Focus on yourself instead. Goddard-Hill recommends writing down your strengths and asking your family and friends for their thoughts. “Keep the list somewhere safe and look at it often to remind yourself you are amazing,” she says. Before you go to bed, think about three things that went well for you that day. “This will help you see the positives in your life,” says Goddard-Hill.