The Connection Between Self-Love and Happiness

Two of the most common phrases we hear are “you must learn to love yourself before you can love anyone else” and “when you learn to love yourself, you will be happy,” but what exactly do these phrases mean? Everyone tells you that self-love is the answer to finding lasting happiness, but no one seems to know how or where to begin!

Before we can dive into the “how,” we must first understand what self-love is. The definition can vary based on the source, but they all say the same thing. Self-love is an act of valuing and appreciating oneself and understanding one’s own needs and taking responsibility to ensure they are met. It is about being kind and accepting of oneself and understanding that one is worthy of love, respect, and care. Self-love involves setting boundaries, taking responsibility for one’s actions, and making choices in one’s best interest.

Self-love is an important factor in achieving and maintaining happiness. When you love yourself, you are more likely to make decisions that benefit your well-being and bring you joy. Self-love allows you to be more accepting of your strengths and weaknesses, and it helps you be more forgiving when you make mistakes. It also encourages you to take care of yourself and prioritize your needs, giving you greater satisfaction in life. Ultimately, self-love leads to greater self-confidence and self-esteem, which are key components of a happy and fulfilled life.

When one lacks self-love, the effects can ripple into all aspects of your life, wreaking havoc in your relationships, career, health, and overall daily life experience. Simple tasks like making healthy meals, maintaining your hygiene, and taking time for fitness or other extracurricular activities can be difficult when you don’t love yourself. You may find it challenging to build relationships with co-workers, friends, or romantic partners. Simple tasks like accepting compliments or hearing positive feedback are hard, and your responses may seem like attention-seeking behaviors or a constant need for validation that annoys others. You may engage in self-sabotaging behaviors such as overworking or not getting enough sleep due to not feeling “good enough.” Kind acts of love, encouragement, and support from others are often rejected or misinterpreted as insecurities taint their intentions and true meaning. In simple terms, a lack of self-love clouds one’s life experience in an ugly shade of grey and blankets daily activities into a new layer of complexity.