Why Should I Love Myself: You’re Worth It!

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So often we hear about strategies for self-love, but you may still be wondering, why should I love myself? Does it even matter if I love myself? Isn’t it considered selfish to focus so much on me?

The truth is, learning to love yourself isn’t just important—it’s essential. When you’re intentional about loving yourself, you are more likely to live a happier, more fulfilling life and be surrounded by healthy, meaningful relationships.

Hurt People Hurt People

Have you ever heard the quote, “Hurt people hurt people”? It’s a powerful reminder that when we carry unresolved pain, it often spills over into how we treat others. If you’re living in self-hate or shame, it becomes nearly impossible to build others up or walk in the joy and confidence God wants for you.

Growing up, I didn’t love myself—at all. I actually hated myself, and that inner turmoil caused me to treat others poorly. I became what I now recognize as an undercover bully. I never directly said harsh words to someone’s face, but I would talk about people behind their backs in ways that damaged their reputations and isolated them.

Looking back, I’m ashamed of how I acted. I’ve prayed over each person I hurt and asked for forgiveness. I made a promise to never use my words as a weapon again.

Healing Began with Self-Love

As I began walking through my journey of healing and discovering why I should love myself, everything started to shift. The more I embraced self-love, the more compassion I had for others. I no longer found the need to put anyone down. Instead, I saw that every single person has experienced trauma or heartache of some kind, and my heart grew softer.

I also noticed something powerful: when I carried a victim mentality, I attracted others with the same mindset. But as I healed, I began to attract healthy, whole, and supportive people. This is the fruit of learning to love yourself—better relationships, better choices, and better outcomes.

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Why Should I Love Myself? The Deeper Reasons

You may still be wrestling with the question: Why should I love myself?

Here’s the truth: Loving yourself helps you love others more fully. When you take care of your heart, mind, and soul, you’re better equipped to pour into others without feeling drained. When you see yourself through the lens of God’s truth, you begin to walk in confidence, kindness, and clarity.

And when you operate from a place of wholeness, you reflect the beauty of God’s creation—you! Loving yourself is not prideful; it’s honoring the One who made you.

It’s Okay to Be “Selfish”

Many of us were raised to believe that being selfless means always putting others first. But here’s the thing: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking time to understand who you are isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.

One of the most valuable ways to love yourself is to get quiet and truly get to know yourself. That means tuning out everyone else’s voice—your parents, your spouse, your boss, even your closest friends—and tuning into the voice of the One who created you.

Spend time with God. Ask Him questions about who you are. Dive into Scripture and learn what He says about you. When you start listening to your Creator, your identity becomes rooted in truth—not in people’s opinions or your past mistakes.

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Rediscover the Child Within

The Word of God says:

“He called a little child and set him before them, and said, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”
— Matthew 18:2–4 (AMP)

When we were children, we dreamed freely and lived boldly. Then life happened—pain, rejection, comparison—and slowly, we began to forget who we really were. But God is calling you back to that place of freedom. He wants you to love yourself so you can walk in the fullness of who He created you to be.

You Are Worth It

If you’re still asking, why should I love myself, here’s your answer: Because you are worth it.

I don’t know if anyone has ever told you that before, but hear me now—YOU ARE WORTH IT.

You are worthy of love. You are worthy of kindness. You are worthy of joy, peace, and purpose. And you don’t need to earn it. God already says you’re worthy because He made you.

Anything that tells you otherwise is a lie. It’s time to silence those lies and believe the truth about who you are.

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
— Psalm 139:14 (NKJV)

Final Thoughts

Loving yourself is not an act of pride—it’s an act of faith. It says, “God, I trust that what You made is good.” It’s a journey, not a destination, and it takes time. But it starts with a choice.

So if you’re wondering why should I love myself, know this: because when you do, you’re not only honoring yourself, you’re honoring the God who created you.

And that love will overflow onto every person you meet.

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