As the saying goes, you can't pour from an empty cup. And when it comes to relationships, before you can nurture a healthy and fulfilling dynamic with a partner, it's essential to first cultivate a sense of wholeness and self-love within. Self-love is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. Self-love means accepting ourselves fully - flaws and all - and treating ourselves with kindness, care, and compassion.
When we love ourselves, we tend to make positive changes in our lives, set boundaries, and prioritize our needs. We act from a place of wholeness rather from one of lack or self-criticism. Self-love gives us inner strength and resilience.
Cultivating self-love takes work, but incorporating simple practices like positive affirmations and uplifting quotes can help. This article will explore how to embrace self-love through positive affirmations and inspirational words. Get ready to start loving yourself like you deserve!
Jump to a section on embracing self-love:
How Positive Affirmations Encourage Self-Love
Affirmations are positive statements we repeat to ourselves to transform limiting beliefs into empowering ones. Over time, regularly reciting affirmations literally rewires our brain toward more self-loving neural pathways.
Rather than just wishful thinking, science shows that words of affirmations have real power to shape our self-concept. Areas like neuroplasticity and neuropsychology reveal that our thoughts and words can physically alter our brains.
Some examples of helpful self-love affirmations:
I accept myself unconditionally
I honor my needs
I nurture my mind, body and spirit
I forgive myself and move forward
I embrace my uniqueness
I radiate self-confidence
I let go of people-pleasing and focus on me
I set boundaries that support my wellbeing
I release past hurts and regrets
I am capable and strong
I deserve love, joy and abundance
I am worthy just as I am
When we repeat these uplifting mantras consistently, we gradually transform our limiting core beliefs into ones of self-acceptance, self-compassion and self-care. Positive self love affirmations help reframe our self-talk from harsh to encouraging.
Here are some tips for making self love affirmations effective:
Choose affirmations that resonate - Find mantras that align with your values and desired growth areas. Get specific.
Make them positive - Affirmations work best when phrased positively versus negatively. Ex: "I am worthy" not "I am not unworthy."
Use the present tense - Say affirmations in the here and now ("I am confident") rather than the future ("I will be confident"). This feels more immediate.
Repeat regularly - For best results, recite affirmations daily, even multiple times a day. Consistency matters.
Say aloud - Whisper, speak or sing affirmations out loud. Hearing and speaking them makes them feel more powerful.
Visualize - Picture yourself embodying the affirmation. Imagery strengthens the neural imprint.
Mirror gaze - Look at yourself in the mirror while repeating affirmations for added emotional impact.
Write them down - Journaling affirmations amplifies their effect. Display them on vision boards too.
Record them - Make recordings of you reading affirmations aloud to play back later.
Feel the emotions - Connect with the emotions you want to cultivate, like self-love, confidence, peace. Feelings drive change.
Regular affirmations rewire our brains toward self-love. Watch your self-esteem shine bright when you start practicing showing your self how much you are worth!
How Inspirational Quotes Boost Self-Love
Inspirational quotes from all sorts of people throughout history can provide us with profound wisdom! Inspiring words tend to encourage personal growth and self-love. Positive self love quotes to remind us of our inner light during dark times.
Here are some examples of inspiring self love quotes:
"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." - Buddha
"Trust your heart if the seas catch fire, live by love though the stars walk backward." - E.E. Cummings
"To fall in love with yourself is the first secret of happiness." - Robert Morley
"I love myself for I am a wonderful thing." - Nikki Giovanni
"The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy." - Yves Saint Laurent
"There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anaïs Nin
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens." - Louise Hay
"When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn't healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits - anything that kept me small. My judgement called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-loving." - Kim McMillen
"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud." - Coco Chanel
Sharing inspirational quotes in your relationships spreads positive vibes. Using them in journal entries or printing them out as wall art in your home can also help with feeling self-love. Whenever you feel self-doubt creeping in, look to motivating words from thinkers who have been there too. Let their wisdom lift you up.
Here are some ideas for integrating uplifting quotes into your life:
Share inspiring quotes on social media - Post them on your Instagram, Facebook or TikTok to encourage others.
Make a quotes vision board - Cut out or print your favorite quotes and arrange in a beautiful collage.
Hang quote art in your home - Frame inspiring quotes and display them prominently where you'll see them.
Post sticky notes with quotes - Put motivating words on sticky notes and scatter them places you'll encounter.
Use quotes in greeting cards - Handwrite inspirational quotes in cards and letters to loved ones.
Set a daily quote as your phone lock screen - Find new self-love quotes and use a different one as your lock screen every day.
Reference quotes in a journal - Collect quotes you love and journal about how they make you feel.
Text or email friends inspiring quotes - Share moving quotes with friends going through tough times.
Create quote images for social media - Design inspirational graphics with quotes to share on Instagram, Facebook, etc.
Surround yourself with words that uplift you!
Powerful Self-Love Practices Using Affirmations and Quotes
Here are 11 powerful ideas for putting self-love affirmations into daily practice:
Morning Self-Love Ritual
Recite positive affirmations while looking at yourself in the mirror each morning. Radiate self-love to start your day on a hopeful note.
Name Your Feelings
When difficult emotions like shame or sadness arise, gently acknowledge them rather than suppress them. Say aloud "I feel sad right now and that's okay." Validating your feelings fosters self-love and emotional intelligence.
With consistent practice, self-love shifts from just an intellectual concept into a felt inner knowing.
Self-Love Journaling
Journal daily and incorporate self-love affirmations and quotes. Reflect on how to better nurture yourself.
Soothing Bath Affirmations
Post affirmations around your bath and recite them aloud to yourself while soaking. Let the water wash negativity away.
Gratitude and Self-Love Prayer
Each night, pray aloud expressing gratitude for your blessings and repeat self-love affirmations. Feel your worth.
Nature Walk Mantras
On walks through nature, repeat affirmations and quotes as personal mantras to center your mind.
Lovingkindness Meditation
While meditating, recite lovingkindness phrases toward yourself. Ex: "May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I be at peace."
Wind Down Affirmations
Whisper self-love affirmations aloud to yourself while falling asleep for restful, positive sleep.
Musical Mantras
Create playlists with songs that channel self-love and play them while reciting empowering mantras aloud.
Reflection Journaling
Journal regularly about experiences related to your growth. Reference quotes for inspiration.
Self-Love Vision Board
Build a beautiful vision board filled with affirmations, quotes and images that depict your best self-loving life. Let it inspire you.
Experiment with different ways of routinely practicing self-love affirmations and uplifting quotes in your daily life.
Ideas for Crafting Original Self-Love Affirmations
While established affirmations and quotes can be very powerful, creating your own original personalized positive phrases is also recommended.
Tailoring mantras to your specific growth areas and wording them in language that feels like your voice is impactful. Here are 15 topic ideas to get you started crafting custom self-love affirmations:
Physical self-love:
I honor my body just as it is. I love it with care and gratitude.
I feel confident in my own special and unique body. My physical self deserves physical touch and physical love.
Embracing emotions:
All my emotions are valid. I embrace them with kindness and patience.
I forgive past versions of myself. My feelings help me grow.
Self-acceptance:
I accept myself fully, imperfections and all.
My flaws do not define me. I am perfectly imperfect.
Self-compassion:
I offer myself grace. I do not judge myself harshly.
I lovingly nurture my mind, body and spirit.
Confidence and worthiness:
I am worthy of love, joy and belonging.
I boldly embrace my worth. I am enough.
Letting go of guilt/shame:
I forgive myself for past mistakes. I choose to move forward in peace.
I release guilt and shame. I champion my inner light.
Refocusing thoughts:
My mind is a garden. I plant seeds of love, not weeds of fear.
I reframe negative thoughts into positive truths about my worth.
Self-care:
I prioritize my needs. I nurture my mind, body and spirit daily.
I lovingly care for myself. My wellbeing matters.
Relinquishing people-pleasing:
I embrace my true self. Pleasing everyone else is not my job.
I set empowering boundaries aligned with my values. My "no" is sacred.
Self-respect:
I honor my needs. I respect myself enough to say no.
I act with integrity that aligns with my ethics. I respect myself.
Body image:
My body is incredible. I celebrate all it allows me to experience.
I release ideals of perfect beauty. My body is perfectly mine.
Courage and resilience:
I boldly embrace life's challenges. Within me lives courage.
I nurture my inner wisdom. I am resilient.
Growth mindset:
I am continuously blooming into my best self. Growth takes time.
Each day I progress on my self-love journey. I celebrate small steps.
Peace and contentment:
I relax and breathe. Within me lives serenity.
I release anxiety about the future. I am content here now.
Drafting your own positive self-love mantras drives the messages deeper. Your own thoughts and phrases will be more powerful for you.
Inspiring Selfcare Ideas to Try
Affirmations and quotes are wonderful, but self-love also requires tangible actions. Developing regular selfcare rituals reinforces your worth through deeds, not just words. Here are 10 ideas:
Take yourself on creative solo dates:
Spend quality time exploring your passions and interests. Have fun by yourself without depending on others for entertainment.
Write yourself love letters:
Write letters of love, compassion and praise to yourself as if from your biggest supporter. Keep them in a special box to read again later. Check out our post on creative ways to say "I Love You" if you want more ideas on showing yourself love; these ideas can be used to show yourself or someone else that you love them.
Look at yourself lovingly in the mirror:
Make eye contact and smile gently at yourself. Rub your shoulders. Appreciate all you see and all it allows you to do.
Take relaxing baths:
Treat yourself to peaceful soaks surrounded by candles, affirmations and calming music.
Meet your needs first:
Prioritize your health, budget, schedule, values. Nurture yourself before pouring from an empty cup.
Forgive your past self:
Write a letter of forgiveness to your past, letting go of guilt for old mistakes. Release it.
Speak kindly to yourself:
Notice self-talk. Would you say the same thing you're telling yourself to a friend? Be your own best friend.
Set healthy boundaries:
Protect your time and energy. Learn to say no without guilt. Your needs matter.
Pamper yourself:
Get massages, pedicures, spa treatments. You deserve to be spoiled with selfcare.
Unplug and unwind:
Give yourself tech-free time to relax, replenish and refocus without stimulation. Be present.
Aim to practice regular thoughtful acts of self-love, not just occasionally. You are worthy of care every day.
Self Love Affirmations to Repeat
Life gets challenging sometimes and not everyone has a partner that can or will support them. In hard moments when your inner critic flares up, combat it by repeating these simple self-love mantras:
I am enough.
I am worthy of love.
I accept myself just as I am.
My feelings are valid.
I boldly embrace my worth.
I nurture my mind, body and spirit with care.
I honor my needs.
I forgive myself and move forward.
I radiate self-confidence.
I love myself fully.
Let these positive phrases lift and empower you whenever self-doubt creeps in. Speak truths of unconditional love until you believe them wholeheartedly.
Self-Love Assessment Quiz
Here is a simple self love quiz that will assess if you are practicing self-love or not. Answer Yes or Not to the following questions:
Do you routinely practice self-care activities?
Do you speak kindly to yourself?
Do you easily forgive yourself for mistakes?
Do you frequently assert your needs and set boundaries?
Do you accept compliments graciously?
Are you independent instead of depending on others' validation?
Are you comfortable being vulnerable about insecurities or flaws?
Do you handle failures or rejections well?
Do you take responsibility for your own happiness?
Does you have a strong sense of self-worth and aren't in-need of a relationship to be happy?
If you answered yes to a majority of the questions above, then you are more than likely practicing self-love and self-care! If not, you may need some self-work!
Lessons from Mia, Mark and Gabby
Let's look at how self-love and relationships have manifested with real people working to improve their relationship dynamics:
Mia's Story
Mia tolerated emotional unavailability from partners because she feared being alone. When she started showing self-love through journaling, yoga, and mirror work, she realized she had worth and deserved more. She found the courage to start setting boundaries about intimacy and availability with her partner Alex. This authenticity and vulnerable communication brought them much closer emotionally. Ultimately, Alex stepped up in response to what Mia expressed, helping to save their relationship.
Lesson: Self-love can motivate you to communicate your needs assertively and work toward a love that lasts a lifetime.
Mark's Story
Mark struggled with jealousy in his relationships because of his low self-esteem. When his partner Sarah mentioned befriending a male colleague, he became irrationally suspicious, risking their trust. Once Mark began developing self-love through therapy, his self-doubt diminished. The next time Sarah brought up a new male friend, Mark felt calm and secure in himself and their relationship.
Lesson: Self-love minimizes excessive jealousy and mistrust, enhancing your relationship security. There are many reasons for couples to overcome and rebuild trust issues; however, don't let self-love be the reason for lacking trust!
Gabby's Story
Gabby had a pattern of staying in unhealthy relationships for too long. She derived her entire sense of self-worth from being coupled up. She developed a lack of confidence and an unhealthy attitude. By practicing daily affirmations, writing herself compassionate letters, and exploring her passions, Gabby cultivated self-love. The next time her partner Jake exhibited controlling behaviors, she summoned the courage to walk away for good, no longer compromising her well-being.
Lesson: Self-love empowers you to detach from unhealthy relationships with dignity.
As you practice more self-love, it'll be easier to find and maintain a long-lasting and healthy relationship where you'll be the relationship's anchor of courage, security, and self-respect. You'll learn to develop confidence and maintain a healthy attitude in a relationship.
Final Thoughts on Self-Love Affirmations and Quotes
Developing richer self-love takes intention, practice and compassion. But gently repeating supportive affirmations, surrounding ourselves with inspiration, and taking self-nurturing actions, can gradually transform our self-concept.
We all stumble, get mired in negativity sometimes, and need help remembering our inherent worth. Calling upon positive mantras, quotes and rituals reopens our eyes to our own inner light.
There will always be room to deepen self-love and tend gently to our emotions. But start small. Light the spark, feed it lovingly, and soon you will shine bright.
The most revolutionary love is self-love. Say it and believe it until it becomes your truth: you are worthy of care, joy, and so much beauty. Now boldly go claim it!