In order to have confidence and pursue happiness, you have to love yourself. This can mean many things to people, but the most basic understanding of it is believing in yourself and have unwavering compassion for yourself. Self-love can be quite difficult at times and is easier said than done. In order to love yourself, it’s important to follow these steps:

Be Responsible for Your Feelings

It’s important to be mindful of our own feelings. This means recognizing when we are actually loving ourselves and when we are putting ourselves down. Sometimes this even means willing to feel pain from feelings, but understanding that you are in control of them. It’s important not to put the blame on someone else if you’re feeling angry or sad. Take responsibility for your feelings, get out of your negative thoughts, and learn to use your emotions for bettering yourself. 

Have a Dialogue with Yourself

In order to love yourself, you have to know and understand yourself completely. This is done by having a dialogue with yourself inner self. Ask yourself, why do I feel this way? What are my motivations? Think about your inner fears and motivations. It can feel silly at first to dig deep and really ask yourself these questions, but it can help lead you to learn who you really are. Once you understand yourself fully, it’s easier to love yourself. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Be Yourself

Fear of judgment from others can keep you from doing what you really want to do and from being your true self. When you aren’t your true self, there is no way you can love yourself. Don’t be afraid to do something that you love even if it isn’t the most popular choice of others. If it makes you happy, it’s important to do it. When you find something that makes you feel good, doing it more often is one of the best ways to love who you are and what you do. 

Care for Yourself as You Care for Others

Think about all the ways you treat the people you love and how you like to care for them. The same love and affection you give them, you should also be giving to yourself. Doing this doesn’t make you selfish or self-involved. Caring for yourself is not selfish or wrong. It’s important to not hesitate when treating yourself or taking concern in your own well-being. By putting this much effort into caring for yourself the way you care for the people that you love, you learn to love yourself unconditionally.