For me, to love myself is to take care of myself spiritually, emotionally, and physically. SO MUCH EASIER SAID THAN DONE. I struggle with loving myself a lot, but basically the word "acceptance" comes to my mind when I think about it. This is the path God has put me on, this is the way He made me (codependency included), so why should I have any reason to not love what He created? In my mind He has blessed me with this behavior pattern for a purpose - I just hope to one day figure out what it is! So to quit babbling, Loving myself to me means constantly reminding myself (yes, I have those old thoughts sometimes too!) that I am who I am meant to be, and that in order to self-heal it has to start by me loving and accepting who i am. That motivation is enough for me! God bless you and good luck!

for me loving myself is 1... Give myself a break, I'm not perfect so its ok to make mistakes, be mean or selfish some times, not constantly trying to please people and ".....be aware of my internal dialogue meaning don't say horrible or hurtful tings about myself to myself if that makes :)

I love myself by meeting my own needs and articulating them to other people. If others fail to meet my needs, I take that as a deficiency on their part, not mine. And I act accordingly.

Good points, All. Thanls very much.

Nice post @bal and @ggshleg. I've been struggling with this as well but I think gg gave a pretty good definition I can use. I need to take care of myself better in all aspects, emotionally, physically, @nd spiritually.

Loving myself means that I define myself by me, not by others, I don't let what others think of me define me. If I did, I would be miserable. I go to the beat of my own drum, so to speak.

My ability to love myself is a place I am trying to get to. I have my good days and I have my bad days, but loving me means that I exercise, eat right, pray to God and ask him for guidance. Self talk and tell myself that I am flawed like everyone else, I am not perfect but I am a good person. I believe in my abilities and I fear nothing.

Fear to me, is one of the most destroying factors of loving myself, when I fear people, or lack self discipline, I beat up on myself. My lack of self worth, tends to guide my behaviors and limits my abilities.

I think self worth plays a big part in my loving myself. It's a process but it's going to get there, I need time to heal my heart from my past and that also helps. A lot of the garbage we carry around hinders us from loving ourselves. Childhood, bad marriages, sickness diagnosis, abandonment, abuse, it all ties in to me loving myself. If I didn't get that growing up, it's harder to give to myself, I wasn't worth anything to anyone. But now, I believe for me, I am worth the work it's going to take for me to love myself, I want to be happy again. I look forward to who I am meant to be. :)

for me..I call it compassion. When I feel down I pamper myself..hot tub get a massage...read a good book...go for a long walk/run.. I treat myself like I am the best friend ever...