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If I don't, who else will??

Just kidding.

I am my own best friend, we have a blast together!

I have also been self critical, judgemental, irritable downright angry with self in the past ... it does much more harm than good and I'm learning to let all that go ~ water under the bridge ~ becoming as loving and forgiving of self as of others. I deserve it =)

Isn't it funny how in looking back on our journey- we find a very large part of life is spent trying to finally come to terms with that person staring back at us in the mirror?
I think back at the battles I've waged against myself-especially in my younger years- and I simply cringe!

True beauty is being comfortable in your own skin- and there is simply nothing sexier than a woman who knows herself- is at peace with herself- and LOVES and RESPECTS herself.
-Once that's accomplished, all the rest falls into place.

A great observation Pam! Thanks for getting us to discuss this issue... it matters!
Carrie

It took me a very long time to learn to love myself. I use to be my own worst enemy. But now, finally, I do love me.

For many years, I didn't know what love was...and of course that meant I didn't know how to even love myself. I learned about love by being loved....It felt so good and so inspiring. I wanted to share it with the world...so I do my best to share what has been gifted to me.... Yes, I love myself very much, thanks to all the people in the world that the universe sent me as love lessons.

It is true: you cannot love others if you don't love yourself, and take care of yourself, first. Love is patient and kind, and it starts within each of us. And yes, being loved by others makes it easier to understand how important it is to love ourselves.

Yes I love the person God put on this earth called me..he doesn't make junk. Chillin you weren't wrong saying if we don't love ourselves who will, it is very true. We all have our own families or self to take care of and if we have enough of that we share what is left over with others, which is a good thing.

Chillin is right on. Besides, if one doesn't love and accept themself, they cannot truly love others.

I've been changing how I love myself over the years as I grow and change. I wrote this article in 1990 view link and sold it as my first piece of paid published writing.

In that article I focused on physical acceptance as I worked with women who were very self critical of their appearance. I liked the way I looked then.

When I realized my husband had lied to me and I had accepted him back after a separation that involved infidelity I felt stupid and had a hard time respecting myself for being duped.

Over the next years I struggled to even BE my Self and as I reinvented my life and my self perceptions. It was a long struggle to again be able to smile and say;
"I did the best I could given what I faced and the resources I had."

So now I work at accepting myself as I work on issues of physical energy and flexibility, respect myself for achieving what I have done and love being my Self.

I find joy in loving being me!

Well, I can't say anything additional to all that, agreeing with all. Basically, I am okay with me now after many years of struggling with that.