How self-love can change the World

As a society, we have things so twisted! We’re taught to look for answers outside of ourselves and give them more credibility. We’re taught to strive for unrealistic expectations to chase happiness. We’re taught this notion of love as if it can exist between two individuals to a higher degree than it exists within. I’m on a mission to spread the importance about self-love even if I have to do so one person at a time. I believe that we all want to live in a kind, peaceful, and safe world. The thing is, it starts with each one of us. Each and every one of us has an impact on the world around us. I believe our impact is greater than we fathom. Just think of the way someone’s attitude or the way they treat you effects you. 

If someone is rude or unkind, doesn’t it jar you or at least rub you the wrong way? It might alter your mood for just a moment but depending on the day you’re having it might sting a little more or carry on a little longer. What about when someone is really pleasant and kind? Doesn’t that make you feel good? Even if you’re having a bad day doesn’t that shift your mood just a little? I always tell my daughter that the way others treat us says more about them than us. Likewise, the way we treat others says more about us than them.

That’s why it’s so important that we cultivate self-love. If we want to live in a kind and understanding world, we have to be committed to being what we want to see and experience. The way in which we do things comes from the energy in which we do them. If I don’t feel like cooking dinner, I can guarantee you although it will be edible it won’t be my best meal. If I’ve had a rough day and I’m not being kind or compassionate towards myself, I’m not going to be as kind or compassionate towards others. If I do things with a sense of obligation or expectation, I won’t do them with the same energy I would if it was something I looked forward to doing.

I believe we would truly see a shift in the world if we all dedicated ourselves to doing everything with great self-love. The way we treat ourselves, the way we show up, the way we treat others all stems from a place of self-love. If we respect our personal boundaries, use yes and no when and how we mean it, and intend to be as loving and kind as possible with ourselves and others, I mean could you imagine what a world like that would look like?

I know many of us are taught to think of others first. I know many of us learn that doing things we have to do even if we don’t want to is part of life. I know we’ve been told it’s better to give than to receive. But I wonder what life would look like if we changed our perspective. If we didn’t think that putting ourselves first meant we disregarded everyone else. If we didn’t commit out of a sense of obligation, take on more than we can comfortably handle, or take the path that was paved for us instead of the one we longed for. If we realized that giving and receiving is a cycle and it might be better to give and receive in equal measure.

I believe I’m at my best and give my best when I take care of myself. When my needs are met and I allow myself to fulfill my desires. When I practice self-love and do things with wholehearted intentions. From that place, I feel strong, powerful, and generous. If every choice we made stemmed from a place of deep-rooted self-love, the world around us would be a better place. I think it starts with reframing society’s perspective of self-love. It has less to do with being selfish and more to do with self-full as Iyanla Vanzant would put it. It’s less about being self-absorbed or disregarding others and more to do with self-care and being better positioned to serve others.

Today I just wanted to encourage you to think about the impact you have on the world around you. The people whose lives you touch without even realizing. I want to encourage you to think about what your impact would look like if you did everything from a place of love, starting with yourself. How would you benefit from cultivating your self-love? What about those around you? How would you feel? What would your life look like? What about the world around you?

Sending lots of love your way (from a place of self-love) 😉
Niki Meadows
Former self-love sacrificer turned women’s worthiness coach

In order for self-love to impact the world we have to be cultivating it! If you haven’t already, I encourage you to sign up for this guided 7-week journey of self-love through kindness! I’ll help you lean into self-compassion instead of self-criticism and self-love instead of self-judgment. Help make the world a better place, starting from within. ❤

Sign me up!