Love.

The cursor blinks absently as I type the word again: Love. Still blinking.

I feel so much emotion for this word. I’m not sure where to start.

I hear “love” and a wave washes over me, knocking the air out of my lungs. I think about the heart I’ve broken, the way my heart has been broken, the emotional scars, long, slow, deep kisses, the way I feel when I’m in Italy, my family and the friendships in my life.

But I don’t want to talk about my heartache, relationships and passions.

I want to talk about the first love.

Me.

This isn’t egotistical or narcissistic. Self-love is the first love you should experience and carry with you, forever.

Photo Credit: Donna Grayson (Flickr)

Love and your relationships are a reflection of yourself. If you’re pained, unsure or looking for fulfillment from someone else to fill a void then, it will be equally as empty without loving yourself first.

Just like Oscar Wilde said, “To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.”

Fear causes uncertainty in the self. We’re scared to stop, take time for ourselves and take a long stare into our eyes, and even deeper into our core. If you don’t know yourself, if you don’t love yourself, how will you grasp another human and offer or even receive love?

This is how I practice self-love:

· I spend at least two days a week completely alone, doing whatever I need or want. Even if it’s for two hours. I breathe into the solitude. I like to listen to my thoughts, laugh to myself and dance around my room in my undies.

· I take care of my body by going to yoga or the gym and spending time outside in the mountains hiking or snowboarding.

· Stay rested.

· I indulge in wine, chocolate, and succulent laughter.

· Dress up, just because. Make yourself feel beautiful, done up and then strip to your bare bones, naked. Feel good both ways.

· Giving back to others is a form of living. It reflects my internal love.

· Acceptance of my deep dark places, my elated happy moments, my highs and lows.

· Plan and take vacations just because I deserve it and want to suck out the fun, risk and goodness out of life.

· I slow down when I’m moving too fast. I push myself when I need a kick. I tend to my wounds, when I’m hurting and need time to heal.

· Lastly, I love myself by leaving my heart open to feel love, give love and receive love.

Do you practice self-love? Why is it hard for our society to remember to love ourselves? What are some of the ways you practice self-love?”

All You Need Blogger: Grace Boyle

Grace Boyle, a 20-something adventurista. She lives in Boulder, CO and is the Publisher Services Manager for the tech startup, Lijit. She blogs at Small Hands, Big Ideas and tweets while she writes about the startup world, relationships, career and daily inspirations.

Songs: David Gray – This Year’s Love (for the emotionally necessary self love) and Billy Idol – Dancing With Myself (for all the fun of loving yourself)

Did you know I have a private newsletter that goes out ONLY to subscribers? It offers stories of travel adventures, writing brilliance, links to great content around the internet and other crazy shaningans.

Subscribe to Writing on the Webb to Receive Exclusive Updates