Soul-Stirring Self-Love: Loving Yourself and Others Authentically

Self-love is the foundation of all love.

In my decades of learning Psychology and studying human behavior, there is one common thread amongst all those who struggle with self-doubt, finding fulfillment, and/or unhealthy relationships. There’s a huge lack of self-love and awareness. Those terms get thrown around so much these days, but please don’t let that waterdown their power… Knowing who you are is one thing, but loving who you are is everything. You absolutely can’t have one without the other, which is why I do what I do, because most people, I’ve found, have no clue what they want… which means they haven’t discovered their authenticity and therefore are not able to put themselves on a path toward their purpose.

When we learn to love ourselves, we are better able to love others in a deep and authentic way. We can confidently ask for what we want and make strides to get that. But how do we cultivate this kind of love? What steps must we take to live a life that we truly want? It all starts with discovering what we want and who we truly are.

Understanding YOU.

We need to take the time to reflect on our values, our passions, and our dreams. I know I preach this ALL the time… but you know what, it never fails to break down those barriers keeping us stuck. When you can’t put a name to something it can bring up feelings of fear or hopelessness.

Lack of clarity is like walking through a thick fog. When you’re aimlessly wandering through the fog, you can’t see where you’re going or what’s ahead of you. You start to feel disoriented and unsure of your next step. Similarly, when we lack clarity about ourselves or others, even our thoughts or goals, it can make us feel paralyzed. We become unsure of what direction to take and can feel stuck in our current situation. The more we try to force our way through the fog or confusion, the more overwhelming and frustrating it can become. Just like in the fog, it’s important to take a step back, pause, and wait for the fog to lift or clarity to emerge. Only then can we move forward with confidence and purpose.

Thankfully in the context of our lives and relationships, we do have the power to make the wind blow and clear the fog. Allow yourself to pause and let the fog lift with some practical questions to ask yourself today:

What makes you happy? What brings you joy? What are your goals and aspirations for 2024? These can be difficult to answer for most people. Being able to answer these questions with authenticity will help you slowly start setting healthy boundaries, communicate effectively, and live in that God-given purpose of yours.

Boundaries and Communication

Setting healthy boundaries is essential to self-love and care. It means learning to say no when we need to, and not feeling guilty about it. It means recognizing our own needs and taking care of ourselves first, refilling our cup as needed. When we set healthy boundaries, we are able to show up fully and authentically in our relationships, which in turn allows us to love others, our lives, jobs, and ourselves more deeply and meaningfully.

Effective communication is, I think, the strongest pillar in self-love and authentic connections. It means learning to express ourselves in a clear, confident, and compassionate way. It means listening to others with an open heart and an open mind. When we communicate effectively (or skillfully), we are able to build stronger and lasting connections with others, which is arguably the most vital part of living a fulfilling life.

The Key to it All

I titled this blog post ‘Soul-stirring Self-love’ because I want you to know that the beating heart of what I’m doing here is helping you celebrate the journey, not just the destination. It’s about acknowledging the progress, no matter how small, and relishing in the joy of becoming. As we celebrate ourselves, we illuminate the path for others, inspiring a collective embrace of authenticity and self-love. That kind of self-celebration goes far beyond the surface, that impacts our families, communities, and nations. We’re in the business of stirring-souls and making lasting, positive change and I’d love for you to join us. I recently released my first eBook on Amazon called, “How to Love Yourself and Others: The Ultimate Guide to Self-Love, Emotional Literacy, and Effective Communication!” I like to call this a compass for your journey… for those moments you feel lost in the fog, it will help you find your way. You can check it out here, and find more helpful reasources at the button below!