Loving ourselves: Self-love and self-compassion
Self-love (sometimes called “self-compassion”) is the belief that you are a valuable and worthy person who deserves to be treated with love and kindness.
Why is it important to love ourselves?When we love ourselves, we feel good about who and what we are. It’s not being selfish. It’s about allowing ourselves the same love, kindness, compassion and support that we’d show our friends or family; and not judging ourselves too harshly.
It’s important because it helps us to be stronger and happier people:
Why is it important to love ourselves?When we love ourselves, we feel good about who and what we are. It’s not being selfish. It’s about allowing ourselves the same love, kindness, compassion and support that we’d show our friends or family; and not judging ourselves too harshly.
It’s important because it helps us to be stronger and happier people:
- We know that we can be kind to ourselves and ask for help when we need it
- We know that we can accept the love and kindness others offer us
- We feel more positive, and less anxious or worried, about life
- We bounce back from stress and set-backs more easily
- We find it easy to give love to others because we have a big store of it inside us.
- Treat ourselves kindly and don’t judge ourselves too harshly
- Tell ourselves something really good and positive about ourselves each day
- Respect ourselves for who we are and what we are; if other people think differently, that’s OK too but we’re not going to let it worry us or get us down.
- Make a list of all our achievements and happy things when we’re feeling really good: remind ourselves of these when we’re feeling down
- Admit we’re human: everyone makes mistakes and can learn from them
- Love our bodies by making sure they get healthy amounts of good food and exercise
- Learn to sometimes say “No”: we can’t always please everyone all the time
- Be comfortable asking for help if we feel we can’t deal with a situation on our own: we deserve the same support that we would offer others if they were struggling.
- Have fun, find something to love in what we do each day, and enjoy being ourselves!
Now you have read through our Fact Sheet, have a go at Harold's quiz below:
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