Learning to love yourself takes time and effort. Think about it. Substance use harms you physical and emotional well-being. You may not even understand how to love yourself when you first start your recovery journey. This is okay. With time, practice, and patience, you will learn to love yourself.

You may have heard people misuse the word love many times before. The truth is that love is an action word. Learning to love yourself involves action. Loving yourself means treating yourself kind, being patient, and giving yourself a chance. You can’t truly love yourself and use substances at the same time. Drugs and alcohol are toxins that negatively affect your mind, body, and spirit.

The first way that you can begin to love yourself is to begin a recovery program. Recovery is the best act of love that you could ever do for yourself. Choosing recovery isn’t a punishment. Recovery is a new way of life, and sobriety allows you to enjoy your life without any regrets.

Recovery involves taking a personal inventory of yourself. Taking an inventory is really releasing old wounds, regrets, and mistakes. Freeing yourself from the past and moving forward is an act of love. Hanging on to old wounds and shame is the opposite of love.

Loving yourself also means that you treat yourself well. Love for self means that you are patient with yourself. Self love also involves treating yourself to life’s pleasures, without using drugs and alcohol as a way to escape.

There are a few simple ways to learn to love yourself. Here are some pointers:

• Forgive yourself for past mistakes
• Engage in hobbies and actions that make you feel better
• Free yourself from toxic people or choices
• Take yourself on vacation
• Take naps and go on excursions
• Eat well
• Rest well
• Surround yourself with positive people

Learning to love yourself is not selfishness. Self love is actually the opposite. Remember that you can’t give what you don’t have. If you want to love others, you need to first start with yourself. Take up the challenge of learning to love yourself. Guaranteed that you won’t regret it.

At The Kimberly Center, we care about your recovery. Recovery is the first step towards loving yourself. Call us now at 855-4-KCENTER to learn more about what treatment involves. At the Kimberly Center, you can trust that you are in safe hands.