The concept of ‘self-love has sometimes become a way to make individuals more self-critical and less able to form healthy relationship bonds. In Western culture the self is often seen as a separate entity, with clear boundaries, but the self is more than that. It is entangled in connections with people around us; close family or lovers; political and social systems and cultural expectations.
‘Self-love’ is about allowing ourselves to be compassionate and understanding of ourselves, when we are less than perfect. In order to love ourselves, we need to allow ourselves to be loved by others, and in order to love others, we need to love ourselves. Sometimes its about letting others love us, even if we feel unlovable, because their version of us is often kinder and gentler, than our own.
Learn to love yourself and find your path in life, but also allow yourself to love others, and be loved in return.
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
– Lao Tzu
To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow — this is a human offering that can border on miraculous.”
– Elizabeth Gilbert
