Have you ever heard the phrase, “You must love yourself first”? This short phrase has so much importance and truth. If we do not love ourselves, how can we give love to another? Learning to love yourself doesn’t always come easy, but it is worth every effort. We often hurt others because we simply do not love ourselves, therefore learning to truly love ourselves can impact our relationships with everyone around us in ways we could never imagine. So to show you where to begin, here are six simple ways to begin loving yourself:

1. Acknowledge when you are struggling.

Knowing that you are struggling is completely different from acknowledging that you are struggling. When you finally acknowledge that you are struggling, you can actually search for your answers. Struggle without acknowledgment turns into feeling stuck and once you bury yourself further and further into a rut, it is even harder to get out. When you begin struggling with something, whether it is a decision, a relationship, or even your faith, take that struggle and focus on it. Don’t bury it beneath excuses and wasted time. Focus on your struggle and find what sets you free. Set yourself free from your struggle and find the love for yourself that was buried beneath the struggle.

2. Ask for help.

Asking for help seems pretty straightforward, right? But for some people, it really is not easy for them to come out and ask for help. I was always one of those people and sometimes I still am, but it is okay to be that way. Being nervous or afraid to ask for help when you are struggling inside is completely normal, but when we do finally get up the courage to ask for help it really can create a new love for one’s self and gives a new outlook on the situation. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak. It only means you love yourself enough to move forward and find answers.

3. Accept that you aren’t perfect and that's okay.

Accepting that you aren’t perfect and that it is okay is so important. The world likes to put out these images and expectations for you to meet. They tell you that when you act this way and look that way you will be perfect and life will be filled with rainbows and magic, but it’s all complete BS. Here’s the truth: You will never be perfect. And that’s perfectly okay. So take a good, long, look in the mirror and say the words to yourself. Say them out loud. Scream them at the top of your lungs. I LOVE YOU! Yes. You love yourself.

4. Compliment yourself.

Yep. You read that right. So many times we find ourselves searching for a compliment from someone that we will even throw compliments at others just to hear one about ourselves. Stop this cycle. Compliment yourself every single day of your life. Find at least one thing you love about yourself every day and compliment it. Take pride in who you are and where you’ve been. Look at yourself and say, “I’m proud of who I am,” “I love who I am.”

5. Set goals.

Dreams are only dreams until you write them down and make them goals. Set goals every day, every month, and every year! Those who set goals will accomplish so much more than those who don’t. So, set your goals up and make sure one of them is to completely and wholly love yourself.

6. Treat yourself.

Always make time to treat yourself in order to love yourself deeper. Get that mani and pedi you’ve been thinking about. Color your hair the color that covers your Pinterest board of hairstyles. Take an hour long bubble bath and sing songs at the top of your lungs. Sit outside and watch the sunset. Take time and spoil yourself every once in a while and you will find an even greater love for yourself.

"Beauty is when you can appreciate yourself. When you love yourself, that's when you're most beautiful".

-Zoe Kravitz