What Does It Mean to Love Yourself? – My Story
"Love yourself…"
I had heard this line many times.
But I truly understood what it means only when I was completely broken… and still, I stood up again – all by myself.
I reached a point in life where I had lost myself in loving someone else.
I lived, behaved, and even tolerated things only for them – ignoring my own heart.
I believed that if I gave love, I would receive it too.
But that never happened.
I gave love, I gave my time, I gave understanding…
And still, one day, that person walked away.
No goodbye, no explanation, no turning back.
That’s when I realised –
Losing yourself while loving someone else… that’s not love.
That’s self-betrayal.
That day, I cried.
I broke down.
But at one moment, I looked into the mirror…
And I saw that girl – still standing there.
Hurt, yes.
But there was still a little hope in her eyes.
From that day, I started walking… back towards myself.
I began waking up for me.
I started saving time for myself.
I allowed myself to speak my pain in words.
Now, I no longer act based on what others expect –
I listen to my inner voice.
Loving yourself means…
- Understanding your own feelings.
- Accepting your mistakes, and learning from them.
- Not crying over what you didn’t get, but valuing what you already have.
- And most importantly – not waiting for someone to return, but giving your life a beautiful new direction, on your own.
There are still challenges on my path.
Maybe I’ll still cry some more…
But now I’ve made a promise to myself:
This time, I will live not for anyone else — but for myself.
Because the love I had ignored for so long,
is now becoming my biggest strength…
And that love… is me.