We hear about the value of self-love. "Love yourself more!" You can't love another unless you love yourself first" Blah, blah, blah. What is self -love exactly?  Why is it necessary? How do you do it? Who has the time?

What:

The answer is self-care.  Self-love = self-care. Self-care = self-love.

How:

Take care of yourself.  That seems so simple, yes?  Then why don't you do it? Self-care can be as basic as eating a little better. Make a small change in your diet. Maybe eat a nutritious breakfast every morning or eat one additional fruit or vegetable each day. Take 10 minutes for yourself daily. Pause throughout your day and breathe deeply. Call a friend once in a while and connect. Have a little more fun. Truly, it can be this simple. Sounds like an easy place to start, doesn't it?

Once you start small, you can incorporate more self care into your lifestyle. Begin an exercise program. Learn the value of setting personal boundaries. Become comfortable saying "no". Let go of the need to be a martyr. Learn what matters to you. Let go of toxic relationships of all kinds. If a relationship is taxing, draining or anxiety producing most of the time, reconsider the true value of the relationship in your life. Chances are you will see the need to release that person from your life.

Why:

Some of this seems obvious.  You will feel better, be happier, healthier and more relaxed.  You will have more time for family, friends and things you enjoy.

Here's a reason you may not have considered: The more you love yourself (aka, self-care) the more you will attract love into your life. More loving people, experiences and situations will come to you. Like attracts like. Get it?  If you aren't loving yourself, it's likely you are attracting situations and people who are challenging, stressful and possibly even harmful. As you begin to care for yourself, you are opening the channels for more positive things to come into your life.  And they will!

Who:

Who has time for this? YOU do!  Everyone does. If you honestly don't feel you have time to eat one additional vegetable a day or to pause for 10 seconds throughout your day to breathe deeply, then you may want to examine why you feel the need to be a martyr. That doesn't serve you or anyone around you. So get started! You will love what happens next!