“Truly, Madly, Deeply… In Love — With Yourself?!”
A mildly sarcastic, highly insightful guide to self-love in the age of Instagram affirmations and emotional burnout.
Love yourself.
The most overused advice since “Stay hydrated.”
But let’s get real:
Should you actually love yourself truly, madly, deeply… or is that just a catchy Savage Garden song and a motivational trap?
Let’s explore.
Stage 1: The Misunderstood Self-Love
Somewhere along the way, “self-love” got translated into:
Canceling on people (because “my energy was off”),
Eating cheesecake at 2 AM (“because I’m worth it”),
Avoiding growth (“I accept myself the way I am — toxic and proud”).
But here’s the twist — real self-love is not indulgent, it’s intelligent.
It’s not about always feeling good. It’s about becoming good for yourself and others.
Stage 2: The Psychology of Loving Yourself (Like, For Real)
According to psychology, healthy self-love:
Builds resilience
Improves relationships
Reduces dependence on external validation
Lowers the risk of anxiety and depression
But it must be distinguished from:
Narcissism (Me > Everyone)
Ego-driven self-worth (I’m lovable only when I succeed)
Spiritual bypassing (I’m above all my problems because I chant and use crystals)
Stage 3: Clean Your Inner Room
Loving yourself means:
Holding yourself accountable (you’re not flawless, and that’s okay)
Listening to your unmet needs (not just numbing them with retail therapy)
Processing your past (even the ugly bits)
Setting boundaries (especially with your inner critic)
It’s less spa-day and more soul-cleaning.
What Loving Yourself Is NOT:
Ghosting your therapist because “I’ve outgrown the healing phase”
Telling your friends, “I’m just brutally honest,” after emotionally steamrolling them
Ending every fight with “This is who I am. Take it or leave it.”
Conclusion: Love Yourself… But Like a Grown-Up
So, should you love yourself truly, madly, deeply?
Yes — but with humility, humor, and healing.
Self-love isn’t a final destination where you suddenly float in bliss. It’s a journey where you own your mess, learn your lessons, and keep choosing compassion over ego.The real romance of life begins when you stop demanding perfection — and start relating to yourself like someone you actually care about.
So go ahead — love yourself.
But please… skip the motivational wallpaper and start doing the actual work.
Final Thought:
Self-love isn’t a feeling. It’s a decision — practiced daily, refined painfully, and lived meaningfully.
