From Self Love to Self Respect

Self-love has practically become an amorphous term. (I know, I know, what a cringey February Blog topic, just hear me out…)

I have a hard time standing behind a concept that quite often verges on self indulgence. We need more community and connection, not more consumption and isolation.

At this point, I don’t really identify with the mainstream representation of self-love. I strongly stand behind having a deep sense of self, but the majority of what I see touted as self-love feels far too superficial and commercialized to sustain longterm wellbeing.

The reframe I’ve adopted is a practice of self-respect. When I approach caring for my body and life through this lens, I consider questions like: what can I afford with my current resources (time, energy, and finances)? What does my body truly need instead of what is the internet telling me I need? How can I nurture myself without incurring unnecessary cost, putting undue stress on my systems, or completely shifting my life to revolve around a long list of “wellness” practices.

Perhaps most importantly: how are my practices supporting my ability to live a meaningful life with people, presence, and purpose?

Making choices based around this model is arguably boring. There’s virtually nothing Instagramable about keeping finances in check, going to sleep early, or prioritizing a simple home movement practice (3 of my top self-respect practices), but they are habits that result in greater life satisfaction that’s both sustainable and attainable.

Any worthwhile practice is adaptable to the individual. Your answers (and perhaps questions, too) will be unique to your values and circumstances. What I hope this narrative shift might offer is the permission to hold your practices under a microscope and come away with more clarity and content.

What shifts do you notice as you examine through the lens of self respect?