The power of self-love: Why the most important relationship in your life is the one with yourself – Times of India

Have you ever felt like you give a lot to others in your relationships with them, but rarely get much in return? Or are you a people pleaser but often feel empty emotionally and internally because of it? We live in a world that demands constant attention to everything – whether it’s social media, our work or our relationships. And it can easily make us feel lost with the most important person in the world – ourselves.
While it’s important to build relationships with others – whether in our professional or personal lives – in order to thrive and remain human, the foundation of all these connections often begins with the relationship we have with ourselves. You may wonder how? Well, how Buddha said “what we think we become” and this is true in all aspects of our lives, including our interpersonal relationships, even today.
The importance of connecting with yourself

Just as our daily habits make us who we are today, our daily interactions with ourselves can have a profound effect on our emotional, mental, and physical well-being. It can affect our outlook and change our relationships and lives for the better. how? Connecting with your inner self is about being aware of your emotions, feelings, and thoughts. It’s also accepting yourself as you are, including your flaws. When a person is truly connected to themselves, it manifests itself in many aspects of their life – whether it’s their sense of self, purpose and identity in life, or the boundaries they set with themselves and others. All this helps them lead a balanced and fulfilling life.
How connecting with yourself can change your life
Have you ever noticed that while you may treat others with great love, care and respect, you can’t do the same for yourself? But this is where most people go wrong in their lives and later experience resentment, especially in their relationships with others. Just as we present ourselves as superior to others and treat them well, we should also treat ourselves with the same amount of love and respect. Here’s how connecting with your inner self can change your life for the better:
1. Our relationship with ourselves lays the right foundation for all other relationships in life

“We take the love we think we deserve” Stephen Chbosky writes in his novel “The perks of being a murlyan” and that’s right. In any relationship, how we treat ourselves sets the tone for how others treat us. When we respect and value ourselves, we are less likely to tolerate unhealthy relationships or mistreatment by others. A strong connection to ourselves makes us feel safe and secure in our relationships with others. This helps develop self-esteem, which in turn helps us set healthy boundaries and communicate our needs to others. And so not only do we rightfully demand our wants and needs in relationships, but others look up to us with respect, and those who really matter end up treating us right and staying in our lives for the long term.

2. Connecting with our inner self makes us more emotionally resilient
Life is often unpredictable and full of challenges. However, a strong relationship with ourselves can help us deal with these challenges with ease. A strong connection with ourselves not only makes us more focused on what’s really important in life and helps shape our character, but it also helps us process our feelings and emotions, learn from our experiences, and move forward in life. When we have a strong inner foundation to rely on, we know that no matter what happens, we are always there for you. Conversely, giving up on yourself during difficult times and self-doubt can often lead to distrust and low self-esteem.

3. It gives us clarity and purpose in life
When we are deeply and strongly connected to our inner self, it often helps us to better understand ourselves – from what we want to focus on in life to how we would like to be treated by others. This clarity helps us understand our priorities in life, helps us make the right decisions in life, and aligns our actions with our values. Conversely, a lack of this connection and self-understanding can make us feel depressed and easily swayed by external pressures in life. In a world where we often struggle to find a balance between our personal and professional lives, our relationship with ourselves works as an anchor that keeps us afloat when the going gets tough.

4. Connecting with our inner self and staying safe can improve our mental health
A strong connection with ourselves also has a profound effect on our mental health, as we will be less tolerant of things and people that do not match what we are looking for in life. This helps reduce stress and self-doubt, and in turn leads to a more mindful life. When we are in tune with ourselves, we are better equipped to understand and resolve our negative thought patterns. We also have a more positive outlook on life and are constantly working to become the best version of ourselves.
Tips to have a strong connection with yourself
A strong relationship with ourselves can change our lives for the better. But like any other relationship, it also requires constant work and effort. To help a person be more in touch with his inner self, here are some tips:
1. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is the art of being fully present in the moment – ​​and with yourself – without judgment. Practicing meditation, deep breathing exercises or pranayama, or simply being with ourselves and listening to our thoughts and feelings without judging or dismissing them, can help us connect with our inner self. Mindfulness helps us observe and understand our feelings and emotions and take deliberate action, rather than avoiding them or letting them control us.

2. Journal your thoughts
Although writing is a solitary process, it often helps to process one’s thoughts and feelings. Journaling or recording your thoughts can help you process your emotions and gain a better understanding of life.

3. Spend time with yourself
There is a difference between lonely and lonely. Although loneliness is a negative emotion, being alone helps you better connect with yourself. Spending time with yourself — whether it’s doing a hobby, meditating, or just going for a walk alone — can help you listen to your inner voice and be more in tune with yourself.
4. Be kind to yourself
Just as you are loving and kind to others, treat yourself the same way. Accept your flaws and remember that it’s okay to make mistakes in life. What matters is how well we deal with challenges and develop as individuals. Self-love and self-compassion help lead a more fulfilling life.

5. Do what you love, love what you do
Instead of forcing yourself to complete tasks or overdo things you don’t enjoy, listen to your inner voice and focus your energy on what you really want to do in life. It will help you be authentic, reduce stress and live a more fulfilling life.

Remember, although people and situations come and go in our lives, the one constant that will always stay with us is ourselves. And that’s why it’s important to be true and true to ourselves, to love and accept ourselves as we really are.
As a spiritual guru, Sri Sri Ravishankar once said, “I say drop all your defenses. Anyone can make a mistake—even you. Don’t defend your mistakes; just accept them and move on. When you’re completely vulnerable, that’s when you become completely strong.”