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10 Things To Keep In Mind When Learning How To Most Effectively Love Yourself

Practicing self-love is never easy.

Hannah Fuller

Mar 13, 2019

Missouri State University

10 Things To Keep In Mind When Learning How To Most Effectively Love Yourself

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Learning how to love yourself is hard. Learning how to love and accept who you are in a society where impossible standards of perfection and beauty are continually impressed upon us is even harder.

Often, people think that learning how to love yourself and effectively practicing self-love is setting apart some time in your weekly routine to light some candles, throw a bath bomb in your tub, and put on a facemask. I enjoy all of these things just as much as the next person, but there is more to loving yourself than scented bubble baths and deep-cleaning charcoal facemasks.

Practicing self-love is never this romantic. It often comes with an uncomfortable amount of self-disciple, healing, and behavior correcting.

Here are 10 things to continually keep in mind when learning how to love yourself most effectively:

Tomorrow is a new day.

We often get caught up in the day-to-day events that take place in our individual lives. This can make getting through even 24 hours seem mentally and physically exhausting. Remember to breathe. Take everything you face one day at a time; tomorrow brings new opportunities.

You don't have to be perfect.

Society tends to perpetuate this faux idea of perfection. The concept of owning your individuality and uniqueness becomes foreign when there is so much pressure to be perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal, and it's okay not to be perfect.

Having a bad day is OK.

Bad days are inevitable. You spilled coffee on your brand-new white shirt, woke up 30 minutes late and missed an important meeting, and forgot to pack your lunch – that's okay! It's just a bad day, not a bad life.

Making mistakes is a part of life.

Like I said earlier, perfection is an unattainable goal. Making mistakes is a part of growing up, they're also inevitable – and that's also okay!

Small steps are still progress.

Progress is progress. Today you are further ahead than you were yesterday. Tomorrow you'll be further ahead than the day before. Learning to love yourself is a slow, tedious process that won't be easy.

Asking for help makes you strong.

In case you haven't heard it before – it's okay not to be okay. If you have a bad day, going through a rough patch, that's okay!

Asking for help from your friends, family, or from professionals is completely normal. Admitting that you need help is one of the strongest and most beneficial things you can do for yourself on your journey to loving yourself.

It's OK to say 'no'.

One of the hardest things I have had to learn in my journey of self-love is that saying 'no' is okay. Trust me; your friends will understand when you say that you don't want to go out. Put yourself first; you'll thank yourself later.

Not everyone will like you.

You will have people that don't like you – and that's okay! Remember that bit about perfection being unattainable? Being a people pleaser is mentally draining (I know this from personal experience). My mom always told me "if you live your life always aiming to please others you'll never experience genuine happiness" – and she's 100% right.

People love and appreciate you.

Despite coming across those people who won't always like you, there are plenty of people in your day-to-day life who love, cherish, and appreciate the influence that you bring to their life. You are valued and loved more than you will ever believe, never forget that.

Beauty comes only from within.

There is only one of you made exactly the way you are – one of a kind, unique, special. Rather than dismissing the things that make you unique, accept them as the things that make you the most you that you can be.

Learning how to effectively practice self-love daily is a journey, not a race. While this journey will be long and can seme somewhat tiring, it will be worth it.

Remember you are beautiful and worthy of a life filled with love and happiness.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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10 Things To Keep In Mind When Learning How To Most Effectively Love Yourself

Practicing self-love is never easy.

Tomorrow is a new day.

You don't have to be perfect.

Having a bad day is OK.

Making mistakes is a part of life.

Small steps are still progress.

Asking for help makes you strong.

It's OK to say 'no'.

Not everyone will like you.

People love and appreciate you.

Beauty comes only from within.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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