How to Cultivate Self-Love and Happiness — the Simple Truth
“If you seek happiness, then find contentment.” — Socrates
It’s no secret that we all want to be happy. We try to find the perfect job, the perfect spouse, and everything in between in an attempt to feel fulfilled and satisfied with our lives. But what if I told you that there is a way for you to cultivate self-love and happiness? The answer might surprise you: it starts from within!
By taking a look at your thoughts and feelings, you can learn to love yourself for who you are. You don’t have to be perfect or even close! The journey of self-love is an ongoing process that starts from the moment we wake up until we go back to bed each night. To discover how happiness manifests in our lives, we begin by looking at self-love.
Self-Love is the Foundation of Happiness
If you find yourself constantly seeking happiness, it’s time to dial back your expectations and focus on being content with who you are right now. When I say “right now,” I mean this very moment! By taking a few moments each day to appreciate what you already have, you can begin to love yourself for who you are.
You might be saying, “But I don’t like myself,” or “I’m not a very lovable person.” If this is true of you right now, keep in mind that there’s no such thing as perfect! You were born into this world perfectly imperfect. If you’re willing to give yourself a chance, however, I can tell you that through practice and patience your self-love will grow over time.
The Goal of Happiness is Contentment in Every Moment
We all have moments in our lives when we feel overwhelmed by stress or negativity. But what’s the best way to deal with these emotions? How can you regain your happiness? Even if it’s only temporary, the answer is contentment.
Contentment comes from within and stems directly from self-love. If you love yourself, then you’ll be able to recognize that feeling good about who you are is possible in every moment. You don’t have to wait until something changes or you reach a certain goal. You can be happy right now!
So, how do you achieve contentment? It’s easier than you think: simply appreciate all of the little things in your life. Take notice of what makes you smile and brings joy to your heart. Acknowledge these moments as they come along so that happiness becomes second nature to you!
A Journal Can Help You Cultivate Self-Love and Happiness
There are a variety of ways to cultivate self-love, but one way is through journaling. By writing out your thoughts on paper (or typing them), you not only express yourself more clearly but create an intimate connection with who you truly are. This is a great way to practice self-love because it enables you to reflect on your thoughts and feelings.
Even if journaling makes writing difficult at first, the more you do it the easier it will become for you. You’ll begin to love yourself more simply by being honest with yourself about how you feel! When I say “be honest,” I mean that you can’t write anything down unless it’s truly how you feel. Otherwise, journaling is a pointless activity for increasing your self-love and happiness.
Ready to Get Started?
I recommend starting out by writing about three things in each entry: something good from the past day, an affirmation of who you are (“I am a strong, independent person who is worth the time it takes to love myself”), and a goal for yourself going forward.
When you write out your goals at the end of each journal entry, make sure they challenge you but aren’t too difficult or unattainable. The point isn’t to set unrealistic expectations; instead, focus on making small changes that you can use to build the life of your dreams.
Remember that it takes time to cultivate self-love and happiness, but what’s most important is your willingness to do so. If you make an effort each day by practicing gratitude for the little things in life (and writing them down), I know you’ll be amazed at how quickly these changes will take place!
