How to Find Love Within Yourself

In life, it can sometimes to be hard to find love from within. Many situations, like breakups, health problems or career setbacks, can change how we feel about ourselves, often for the worse. However, loving yourself always should be a priority, both for having healthy self-esteem and a strong state of mind.

Instructions

• 1

  Forgive yourself. Beating up on yourself will get you nowhere but down. If you feel that you didn't work harder in your failed marriage or that you could have been a better friend, there is nothing you can do about it now but learn from your mistakes and change for the better. To love yourself, it is important to forgive yourself and give yourself another chance. No one is infallible, and mistakes and experiences all contribute to who you are.

• 2

  Put together a list of your good qualities. Everyone has positive qualities and characteristics, and you are no exception. Be honest and think of your strong points, whether you are a great athlete or are a good listener. Try to make it an everyday habit to reflect and think about what it is that you most love about yourself. When you're feeling down, look at your list of best qualities and smile.

• 3

  Set aside personal time. One way to discover love inside of yourself is by spending time alone and nurturing yourself as a person. It can be difficult to collect your thoughts and think when you are constantly surrounded by others, whether at home or on the job. Do something by yourself. It can be something as simple as taking a walk in your nearest park or writing poetry about your life experiences. Take the time to breathe, enjoy the silence and indulge in being alone.

• 4

  Accept who you are. No one is perfect, whether they are a movie star or a world leader. Everyone has faults and imperfections. One way to lead a fulfilling and happy life is through acceptance and peace. Accept the flaws you cannot change, and relax.

• 5

  Eliminate negativity. To love yourself, it is important to get rid of as many negative influences in your life as possible. This includes everything from critical people who are constantly putting you down, to bad habits such as not getting enough sleep and drinking too much caffeine. Try to purge your life of as much negative energy as possible. If someone makes you unhappy and is constantly being a drag on you and discouraging you, either tell him how you feel or gradually phase him out.

• 6

  Take care of yourself -- your body and mind. Do this by participating in a regular fitness regimen, eating a nutritious and well-balanced diet and engaging in relaxation techniques (such as yoga and meditation). All of these things can help to contribute to your overall energy and mood levels. Proper fitness can also raise serotonin levels, which is helpful in battling depression and mood swings.

• 7

  Make positive changes. Although it is important to be able to accept things that cannot be changed, it also cannot hurt to change things that can be fixed. If you are unhappy with your weight, do something about it. If you are miserable in your messy house, spring clean it. If you have been wanting to take up an adventurous hobby but have let fear hold you back for so long, face and conquer it. Take action instead of just moping around. If you don't do it, no one else will do it for you.