Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It, published in 2020, is a motivational book that recounts a man’s journey to regain control of his life and fate. The book offers inspiring lessons and a steadfast dedication to self-love through a blend of personal anecdotes, practical guidance, and an easy-to-follow meditation technique.
The author, Kamal Ravikant, is a successful self-made entrepreneur, author, and investor known for his work with prominent leaders in Silicon Valley. After serving in the US Army, he went on to write other popular non-fiction books, including ‘Live Your Truth’ and ‘Rebirth’.
What’s the benefit for you? Discover how to cultivate self-love and maintain it.
Throughout our lives, we experience love in various forms – for our parents, children, partners, pets, friends, and even strangers. But how often do we show love to ourselves? Often, when looking inward, we solely concentrate on our imperfections, compare ourselves to others, and feel inadequate. We prioritise everyone else before ourselves and then wonder why we’re not content.
Imagine if we could learn to love ourselves as if our lives depend on it, treating ourselves with the same kindness and respect we show to those we love.
It’s possible. It begins with a decision – a choice to forgive ourselves for our mistakes and see ourselves in a positive light. When you learn to love yourself, everything else will fall into place.
Idea 1 – Love Yourself! The power of subconscious self-love.
Self-love is often viewed as a self-centred act, and we’re taught from a young age to prioritise others’ needs before our own. But what if we viewed self-love as a form of self-care?
This idea to love yourself is potent because it brings happiness, contentment, and a sense of security. So, why don’t we love ourselves? It’s mainly due to years of negative thinking, where negative thoughts repeat themselves until they form a mental loop.
Our thoughts are always changing, like rivers flowing through our lives, and if not managed, can carve deep grooves over time. To change our lives, we must first alter the shape of our thoughts by flooding the negative grooves with self-love and compassion.
Self-love is a bold act of defiance against negative messages and affirms, “I am enough and deserving of love.” When we love ourselves, it becomes easier for others to love us and sets the foundation for future happiness and satisfaction.
The first step to self-love is forming a new mental loop. Repeat the phrase, “I love myself,” and see how deserving you are of happiness. The more you repeat it, the more light enters your life, and you’ll start to realise your worth. Be gentle and patient with yourself, and you’ll notice a peaceful, clearer, and more connected mind. Keep repeating “I love myself” until it becomes an all-consuming passion.
The mind and body respond automatically, with no choice but to comply. It’s a beautiful cycle: The more you love yourself, the more your thoughts will reflect that love. The more love you give to yourself, the more love you’ll have to give.
Easier said than done, but don’t worry. The next sections will guide you step-by-step on how to love yourself. The first step is to build a solid foundation by forgiving yourself for past mistakes.
Idea 2 – Develop a Greater Self-Awareness.
One of the key aspects to developing a greater inner strength is to get more self-aware. This helps you recognise the thought patterns and behaviours that don’t serve you, rather than continually repeating the same patterns. Through greater self-awareness, you can learn to observe your thoughts and feelings objectively and have more control over how you respond.
With self-awareness, it becomes possible to recognise when negative self-talk appears in your mind and then explore why it’s there. Reframe these thoughts in a more positive light and don’t let them hold you back from living a fulfilling life. Challenge yourself to recognise and acknowledge your successes, strengths, and positive attributes instead of constantly focusing on areas that need improvement.
Idea 3 – Embrace self-forgiveness for a happier life.
Everyone makes mistakes, it’s a natural part of the human experience. However, what sets apart successful people from others is how they handle those mistakes. Rather than dwell in self-pity, they forgive themselves, learn from their errors, and move forward. This approach leads to more productive results.
A crucial aspect of loving yourself is accepting who you are, and this includes forgiving yourself for mistakes. Stop comparing yourself to others and start appreciating your unique talents and qualities. Instead of criticising yourself for perceived failures, celebrate your achievements. By letting go of the guilt and shame attached to your mistakes, you open the door to happiness.
To practise self-forgiveness, find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Write down all the things you hold against yourself on a piece of paper. Release any bottled-up emotions. Take a step back, and view your mistakes objectively. They don’t need to define you. When you’re ready, let them go. Burn the paper or tear it into pieces, and discard it. You’ll feel lighter and more free, ready to make positive changes. Embrace self-forgiveness for a happier life.
Idea 4 – Take charge of your life.
Take Charge of Your Life with a vow. Making a vow is a powerful statement that demonstrates your commitment to change and personal growth. When you vow to make a positive change, such as exercising regularly or quitting a bad habit, you boost your self-confidence with every commitment you fulfil. To take your journey to the next level, make a vow to love yourself unconditionally.
