longer.blue

Loving yourself does not mean lying to yourself. Self-esteem is about recognizing your basic worth as a human being. Your value as a partner is something different. It depends on what you actually bring into another person’s life: character, loyalty, emotional stability, health, communication, competence, generosity, attraction, and the ability to build something together. You can love yourself completely while admitting that you need to improve. An inflated self-image doesn’t protect you. It prevents you from seeing your weaknesses, choosing compatible partners, and becoming someone capable of creating the relationship you want. The goal is to understand yourself accurately, understand what the other person values, and determine whether the exchange is mutually worthwhile. Love yourself unconditionally. Evaluate yourself honestly. And become genuinely valuable to the people you want in your life.