Dogs Are Great, Being Your OWN Best Friend is Better

I was introduced to the concept of radical self-love by a blogger I found just googling random things named Gala Darling. I was unsure of the blog at first, because I am not quite a fashionista, more of the bohemian love child of 1960's counterculture and Old Hollywood (if you think that sounds to ridiculous to be true, I assure you it is...both ridiculous and true). After reading through a few of her "top articles" though, I was hooked. Gala spoke of loving yourself as if it were 100% attainable and downright easy, and after reading enough of her site (as well as many, many sites that she links too frequently), I started to agree with her.

I started on my own radical self-love journey for obvious reasons, and it's something I spend a lot of time thinking about. A lot has come of it, and my main thought that I want to leave my own blog following with is this:

Think about the people you love the most in the world. Now think about what you want for them. Do you want them to work neverending static jobs that they'll hate? Do you want them to constantly give in to vices, eat terribly, let people take advantage of them, and waste tons of time? Everyone loves their own in different ways, but I'm guessing not. I'm guessing you want them to lead the sort of lives that will make them happy, keep them healthy, and allow only quality people in. Now, if you are someone that loves people this selflessly you are obviously capable and deserving of the same love you put out. So why aren't you treating yourself the way you would treat your lover, your best friend, or your closest sibling?

Additionally, self-trust is an issue that often (and should) go hand-in-hand with self-love but it is the piece of the puzzle that I have seen cause the most conflict for the most people (myself included). If you think that cute cashier has a good aura and has been checking you out (UGH, no pun intended), then you're probably right. Flirt back. If you have a feeling that your current job is unsatisfying and there's something better and more suited for yourself out there, then you're probably right. If you think that friend that comes over, eats your food, and then leaves is untrustworthy, you're probably right. Think about it in terms of people you love again, if you have trouble discerning between your gut and just being angry/annoyed. If your best friend had another friend that constantly came over, ate their food, and left, what would you tell them? If your husband/wife/etc. came home from work miserable and exhausted instead of fulfilled and invigorated, what would you want them to do? If your cute, sassy, single sibling had a crush on that cashier, what would you do? Then remember that you are every bit as worthy of happiness as those around you, and go for it.

There is no good reason not to love yourself, and loving yourself goes beyond feeling competent. It means you gain five pounds and decide to have fun with A-Lines instead of starving yourself. It means leaving any situation or person leaving you unfulfilled or unhappy in the dust. It means not doubting that others around you love you, ever. Everyone has low self-esteem sometimes, do you think in the case of your favorite person that their low moments are justified? Probably not. So it stands to reason, that probably, neither are yours.

Coming soon will be some tips for loving yourself (ones I came up with myself, anything another blogger/writer/psychoanalyst posts I would just link too) and what that means for life.

Today, even more than other days, I am wishing you peace, passion, and love.