Concepts discussed (definitions in the writeup): self-love, unconditional self-love
A number of psychology professionals claim (example below) that emotional healing requires one to be in relationship with others. This sounds sensible but what does this actually mean? I rarely see people with this perspective define “relationship” and think some of them share this idea to build their businesses. The idea that personal change requires a relationship seems to create a barrier to self-sufficiency especially since there’s no certainty that an individual can find someone that will treat them how they’d like to be treated. I’d like to think our creator accounted for this possibility by providing the ability to feel perfectly ok with oneself with or without others. In a way, we can be in relationship with ourselves so to a degree, those professionals may be right 😉
A phrase that I see used quite a bit is “unconditional love for self” which I define as the refusal to be emotionally unhappy with any aspect—likes and dislikes—of oneself. It appears to logically follow that having an unconditional love for self is a prerequisite for achieving internal peace. If you disagree and are ok sharing why I’d like to hear your point of view in the comments. If you want privately share please use my contact page.
Miley Cyrus released a song (linked below) that advocates the perspective that we don’t need relationships to feel good about ourselves. I heard the song on the radio one day and I added it into one of my playlists that same day.
I can buy myself flowers
Miley Cyrus – Flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours
Say things you don’t understand
I can take myself dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than you can