Love Yourself First

When we are unhappy or unfulfilled, we may become focused on the problems outside ourselves that cause our unhappiness. When in a relationship, we may spend time thinking about the ways we need our partner to treat us differently for our relationship to improve. If we are waiting for our partner to change so we can be happy, this can feel disempowering as well as be distracting from attending to our own needs. 

Whether you are currently in a relationship or not, ask yourself what you want to receive from a partner, and first give this to yourself. Do you want attention? Give yourself attention. Do you want love? Give yourself love. Do you want affection? Give yourself affection. Do you want appreciation? Give yourself appreciation. Do you want kindness, thoughtfulness, and understanding? Give this to yourself because you deserve this. 

We are empowered in knowing we can give ourselves much of what we need to be healthy and happy. What can you be intentional in giving to your body, mind, heart, and soul? When you are unhappy or unfulfilled, ask yourself what you can do to have joy and meaning in your life.

The better we treat ourselves, the more we have to bring to a relationship, and the more we understand about how we deserve to be treated by a partner. If you are unhappy in a relationship, after caring for yourself notice whether you can contribute more love and grace in your relationship. You may then ask yourself whether you can accept your partner as they are and be happy, whether you want to ask your partner to make changes, or whether you want to choose to not be in the relationship. This inner dialogue can come from a place of clarity when you are first connected to yourself.