Loving yourself unconditionally, without judgment, is empowering— and it’s the holy grail of self-love endeavors. When you authentically love yourself, you believe in yourself and make great things happen. In this article, you’ll find a couple of tools you can use to increase your self-love. 

Self-Love Sparks Growth

Self-love is an appreciation for oneself. Cherishing and nurturing your happiness is self-love in action. Self-love sparks growth and opens doors because we flourish when we show ourselves the same love we show others (love without condition or judgment). When we feel this pure love for ourselves, we see our potential and desire growth. We see our worth, too.

Increasing Self-Love Rallies Self-Worth

Loving yourself means realizing your value as an individual (self-worth). Unconditional self-love rallies feelings of self-worth, friends. Feelings of self-worth strengthen as we increase self-love. As a result, we see ourselves more clearly; we perceive the sheer awesomeness already present within us. 

That’s right! You’re already worthy of all the love; you just have to see it for yourself. 

Self-Love Is About Perception

Your mind plays a pivotal role in self-perception. Using various tools on your self-love journey can help change your self-perception (mindfulness to counter negative self-talk is a powerful tool). Meditation is another dynamic tool that transforms how you perceive yourself when practiced regularly. Therefore, it’s a natural fit for increasing self-love.

Below, you’ll find a guided meditation script I’ve created to help increase self-love. It’s a variation of loving-kindness meditation (which has Buddhist roots). You can practice this cultivating self-love meditation or others as needed; remind yourself you’re doing well with your endeavors and worthy of love. 

The Cultivating Self-Love Meditation

• Today you’ll be learning the cultivating self-love meditation, friend.

• Please, sit in a way most comfortable for you, yet be conscious of keeping your spine straight throughout the meditation as this helps us remain alert and aware.

• Gently close your eyes.

• Take a deep breath in through the nose, and then slowly exhale through the nose. 

• Inhale again slowly through the nose and slowly exhale while welcoming awareness.

• Connect with and follow the natural flow of your breath as it flows in and out of your body. If your mind wanders, don’t follow; gently bring yourself back to the breath.

• Just breathe in this way for a while.

• With your mind & body amply relaxed, I’d like you to focus your attention next on the region of your heart. 

• Place one or both of your hands over your heart.

• Focus on your heart area as you direct your attention to feelings of love and compassion for yourself.

• To help cultivate a love for yourself (in the here and now), begin by imagining a time you felt an immense feeling of love toward yourself. It may be related to an accomplishment, an event, or a moment. 

• Hold and cherish this feeling of love as you breathe naturally. 

• Let love flow from your heart area and emanate through your body as you feel the love for yourself. Focus on this sensation while internally affirming, “I am worthy of love. I am loved. I am safe.”

• You may already feel this love without affirmations, but affirmations will further cultivate self-love.

• Feel love encompass every fiber of your being as you breathe. Know you are loved. Know you are safe.

• Spend as much time as you need in this state. (Time passes) 

• I’d now like you to reconnect with your body.

• Feel the ground or seat beneath you.

• Listen to the sounds around you.

• Take a deep breath in, and exhale slowly while opening your eyes.

• Gradually take in the sights around you while doing your best to continue to love yourself in the now.

Parting Thoughts

While learning to love yourself more, you will fully recognize your worth, heal old wounds and open new doors. Self-love is not only empowering; it’s inspiring. The more you appreciate yourself, the more inspired you’ll feel. Learn to love all of yourself; you’ll push toward growth and tap into your full potential. When you embrace self-love, you learn to authentically love yourself.