Do you engage in behaviors that don’t truly serve you? 

These behaviors can bring momentary comfort. However, they may also lead to self-sabotaging patterns that negatively affect how you view yourself. As an example, eating junk food regularly can lead to poor physical health. This can make you feel less confident in your appearance, and induce stress, anxiety, and negative self-talk, which can undermine your capacity for self-love.

At the root of self-sabotaging behaviors are conditioned programming and limiting beliefs. Conditioned programming is the result of your learning from past experiences. When you are conditioned to think a certain way, it can be difficult to break out of that programming and form new habits. Limiting beliefs are similar in that they can be based on past experiences or on learned beliefs. These beliefs can keep you from seeing your potential and cause you to create a cycle of negative thinking and behavior, which can impede self-love.

In order to break out of the cycle of self-sabotaging habits, it is important to identify the underlying causes of these behaviors. For example, if stress is the cause, then it is important to address the stressors in your life (e.g., through therapy, lifestyle changes, etc.) and to develop coping skills to manage stress in healthier ways. Additionally, it is important to challenge any negative or limiting beliefs that may be perpetuating the cycle of self-sabotaging habits. As you release these patterns and develop healthier habits, you experience greater self-love.

My 5 Facets of Self-Love can enhance your quality of life by helping you challenge behavior patterns that undermine your capacity to love your Self on a deeper level. 

5 Facets of Self-Love

Self-Care

Prioritize your mind, body, and soul with self-care. Self-care can be any activity where you put aside time to demonstrate the love you have for yourself. 

Neglecting self-care can lead to detrimental habits such as overworking or even procrastination. This can cause overwhelm, a hard time focusing, difficulty sleeping, frustration and irritability, and burnout.

When you practice self-care, you acknowledge that your mind, body, and soul need time to rest and recharge. You can reduce anxiety, improve your mood, and stay motivated by exercising, meditating, lying quietly, or enjoying a day of adventure. Self-care enables you to avoid unhealthy behavior patterns while demonstrating a greater love for yourself.

Self-Acceptance

We are all designed as perfectly imperfect. Self-acceptance is being able to see yourself and your imperfections as perfect. Choose to accept all that you are by letting go of self-judgment. Love yourself unconditionally, despite perceived mistakes or failures.

Practicing self-acceptance enables you to release past regrets and struggles, be fully present in the moment, and love yourself no matter what. Allow yourself to let go of the idea that you need to be perfect in order to be loved. 

Celebrate your achievements – big and small – and focus on gratitude for all that you have. 

Self-Worth

Your self-worth has a deep impact on your motivation and how you make choices in life. 

When you do not value your worth, habits like negative self-talk can develop. Words, like anything, carry energy and vibration. When you speak negatively to yourself, you not only lower your vibration, but the quality and quantity of what you receive in life. 

Know that you are of value, you are loveable, and you are a gift to the world. Engage in daily positive self-talk and be aware of negative thoughts that enter your mind. When you change your mindset and know your worth, you tap into your highest potential.  

Self-Preservation

Embracing self-preservation protects you from harm, allowing you to honor your needs and heal. 

Conversely, when you lack boundaries in relationships or say yes when you really mean no, you can become depleted & drained. These are examples of insufficient self-preservation.

It’s crucial to set boundaries and say no, because it protects you from feeling resentful, annoyed, or frustrated. When you practice self-preservation, you recognize your limits and invite deeper self-love. 

Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy is the act of communicating what you need. It’s speaking up for yourself, asking for what you desire, and requesting support when you need it. 

Most people are unable to read your mind. Failing to advocate for yourself can leave you overwhelmed, frustrated, and resentful of others. 

Instead of struggling with the weight of the world on your shoulders, ask for assistance. Know that you’re loved and supported by others and can request help when needed. Have the confidence to ask for what you desire. Start by connecting with what you desire most through meditation and journaling.

Use the 5 Facets of Self-Love to break free from habits that don’t serve you and tap into a deeper love for your authentic Self. These tools can help you let go of old programming and limiting beliefs and embrace greater self-love and personal fulfillment.