Self - love means different things to different people - how do you take it to 'another level' ?

Some think it means self-sex - ie masturbation

Some think it means self-awareness - just have a better picture of their place.

Some think it means self-confidence/worth/esteem - being less anxious/depressed

Self-sex doesn't do it for me much if at all anymore as it's a pointless endeavour when the real thing is gone too.

I feel I'm good with number 2, but number 3 I've never been any good at. So if I was going to indulge in taking my self-love to 'another level' it would be trying to deal with that.

Top | Newest First | Oldest First

SW-User

Self love for me means self care. Looking after my mental health. Basically it's asking whoever supports you to help provide what you need to feel better, for me that's learning to say no, making sure I don't take on too much and get burnt out. I have kids with trauma and disability so I had to learn to get good at that. 😊

BrewCityBarfly · M

Lately, I've been thinking about appreciation. I feel like I can do #2 and #3, and still be underappreciated by others. I might be tilted right now because of some self reflection, however, I get the sense I can do all the self-whatevers, yet people will still look at this piece of art and immediately turn into art critics.

I still envision someone looking at me going "he has a lot going on, but...". I guess when it comes to this self thing, I'd want to be self-narrating if anything. IOW, everyone looks at this piece of art and reads my own interpretation of it, if that makes sense.

zonavar68 · 56-60, M

@BrewCityBarfly I guess when it comes to relationships, friendships, sex, etc. with people yes we are like art since the value or worth of art is definitely in the 'eye' of the beholder. An amazing awesome work of art means nothing and has no value to a person who chooses to dislike it, but to someone who does like it then it becomes priceless. The problem is many 'art' critics are blinkered and like religious nutters cannot accept that others do not agree with them. The hardest thing is to see the worth in yourself regardless of whether anyone else does or not. I just want to be accepted for me with all my flaws and all my good bits too.

WhateverWorks · 36-40

I’ve never met anyone who thought the term ‘self-love’ as specifically meaning masturbation. 🤔

You’re right though. The word love can mean sorts of things. These days I hear more people use the term self–compassion instead of self-love because remembering to be compassionate toward oneself captures the idea better.

zonavar68 · 56-60, M

@WhateverWorks Ok well maybe that's part of my problem because I'm not fully understanding all this from the adult concept world despite being 54 y/o. I've never completely got relationships, etc. and still feel it's a black box I can't open. Very schrodingers cat like.

Add a comment...