What is Self-Love?

Some of you may be thinking that this is a bit of a "duh" question because self-love gets a lot of press in the spiritual community. People are talking about it and manifesting it in a million and one really creative ways. I am always inspired when I watch self-love videos on YouTube and read super self-loving blog posts.

While we are all on a similar wavelength, I do believe that self-love is a highly individual endeavor. Only you know what you need. Only you know how you want your self-love to be packaged. However, I do get questions from time to time asking me to explain what it means to me, so I would like to take a stab at it.

When some people hear "self-love", they immediately think of bubble baths, scented candles and a big glass of red wine. I admit, this is exactly how my self-love practice looks sometimes. The pampering, physical part of self-love is an important part of the whole self-love machine. Doing things for yourself which feel good. Treating yourself to a nice dinner. Buying yourself a present. Going for a run. Having a lazy Sunday in bed. Watching reality shows just for the pointless drama of it all. This is all fine, and it absolutely has it's place.

But the hard part of self-love comes when things go sour. You've had a fight with your lover. You screwed up royally at work. You made a mistake with some really crappy consequences. You're sick. Your emotionally drained. You've lost someone. This is when self-love is most important - and also when it is hardest. Suddenly that bubble bath doesn't seem to quite cut it.

In the face of hardship, self-love becomes honoring your pain. Allowing yourself to cry, scream, work it out. It is about knowing your worth and knowing that you are not your mistakes. (Everyone screws up. Yes, everyone.) It is about knowing who you are. Self love is being patient and understanding with yourself. It is about knowing when to do shadow work and hold yourself accountable. It is about holding your own hand as you face painful parts of yourself. This is when self love becomes real.

The Tower in tarot reminds us that we need a strong foundation to weather the storm. Your daily self love practices set a strong foundation. You're foundation is strengthened through authenticity, honoring yourself, speaking your truth. It is important that you learn to be in your own corner and silence your inner bully. A strong foundation is built every passing day so that when lightning strikes, your tower is still left standing.

If you would like to explore self-love further, you can book a reading with me at Lion Heart Tarot co on Etsy. We can get real about your blocks and concerns around self-love and find some empowering, practical guidance for you.

XOXO