“Remember, you have been criticising yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”
Let’s get real:
You can have the best résumé, the right partner, the dream lifestyle lined up -but if you don’t deeply value and respect yourself, none of it feels quite right. It’s like trying to fill a cup that’s full of holes.
What Is Self-Love (Really)?
Self-love isn’t fluffy. It isn’t about bubble baths, green smoothies, or posting affirmations you don’t believe.
It’s radical ownership of your worth.
It’s about standing in front of the mirror, looking yourself in the eye, and saying: I matter. I am enough. I am worthy of love, success, and happiness.
Inspired by Louise Hay, self-love means accepting ourselves – fully. Not once we lose 10kg, land the job, or fix all our flaws. Right now.
Self-love is:
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- Setting boundaries without guilt
- Speaking to yourself with kindness, not cruelty
- Letting go of perfectionism and embracing progress
- Choosing rest over burnout
- Trusting your own decisions
- Asking for more because you know you’re worth more
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What It Isn’t
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- Narcissism or arrogance
- Avoiding feedback
- Putting yourself above others
- Being selfish at the expense of relationships
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In fact, the more you love yourself, the better you are at loving others, succeeding in your career, and showing up fully in life.
It’s the foundation that everything else is built on.
Why It Matters
for Your Career
and Life
Without self-love:
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- You stay in jobs you’ve outgrown because you’re scared to back yourself
- You settle for less in relationships because deep down, you don’t believe you deserve more
- You don’t pursue your goals because a voice inside says, Who do you think you are?
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With self-love:
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- You negotiate the salary you’re worth
- You apply for the job that excites (and slightly terrifies) you
- You walk away from environments that shrink you
- You stop apologising for taking up space
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A Louise Hay Practice to Try
Start small. Every morning, look in the mirror and say:
“I love you. I really, really love you.”
Sounds awkward? Do it anyway. Your subconscious hears everything.
Over time, that inner critic softens, and the inner coach steps up.
My Final Thought…
We chase success, love, money, status – but the real magic?
It starts inside.
You are the source of your own power.
And when you love yourself fiercely and unconditionally, you raise the bar for your entire life.
You don’t need to be fixed. You need to be loved. Especially by you.
– Jo