By Rae Skinner
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11 Dec, 2019
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It can be difficult to be in a relationship if you don’t have a great deal of self-love. Often the insecurities are your own internal battles that lead to conflict with others, and sometimes that may result in a breakup if the issues aren't dealt with correctly.
A common piece of advice is that you have to learn to love yourself before you even get into a relationship. But what if you are already with someone? Does it mean you have to part in order to do the work on yourself before finding love again? Do you have to meet some self-love prerequisite before you qualify for a relationship?
Of course it helps to be entering a relationship with a strong feeling of self-love. But I also know through personal experience that if you are in a partnership where self-love is lacking, but the communication between you is strong, things can be turned around.
Learning self-love is a continual process, not a switch you can flick on and off. I've become quite addicted to learning more about myself and improving areas that need work - for me and others.
My husband and I were having a conversation about our relationship recently. Having been together since our teens we are quite in-sync now and agree on most things, but if I’m to be honest, there are times when I could literally throttle him and I’m sure there has been times when he has felt the same about me.
We weren’t talking about how much we love each other, but about how much we enjoy this shared space between us, this thing we call our relationship - where communication is so important.
Over the course of 30+ years together our relationship has challenged us, evolved and helped us understand ourselves and each other better.
Looking back I now see that I was heavily co-dependent on my husband for happiness, validation, and self-worth, which would have left him struggling at times.
The difference between then and now is the self-love I now have. In the past I was insecure and needy, and I didn’t yet know who I was or what I wanted from life.
Now, after a lot of personal growth and self-realisation, I can genuinely say that I love myself. I am glad to be me, and am grateful that I have the love of a wonderful man who compliments who I am.
Long after the rose tinted glasses came off, we are still in love and very happy together – as partners, teammates, friends, and lovers. The space between us is awesome, supporting, encouraging and empowering.
“An outstanding love doesn’t come from two half-fulfilled people coming together to make one whole, complete life. Outstanding love comes from two whole people coming together to share and enhance their already full and beautiful lives.” ~Pia Scade
HOW TO DEVELOP SELF-LOVE IF YOU ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP
1) Maintain a degree of space and independence
It’s unhealthy to allow the relationship to absorb your identity and to lose yourself as a person. Keep your own rituals, your own activities, and your own friends. Spend a healthy amount of time apart doing your own thing to nurture your own soul and interests.
2) Remember you are the master of your own destiny
Your partner can’t make you happy. Only you can do that. He or she can enhance the happiness you feel inside yourself, but it is not their responsibility to make you happy. If you rely on them for happiness you will drain the relationship. Make sure you take the responsibility yourself.
Choosing happiness means accepting that the only person you can change - is you. Instead of looking to change others, work on yourself and make sure you meet your own needs and personal standards.
Work through your baggage from the past to help you feel lighter, more present and in control of your emotions.
3) See in yourself what your partner sees in you
Insecure people struggle to see anything good in themselves and are often dismissive of the positive things people see.
Ask your partner what they see in you and what it is about you that they love. This is a great date night exercise for couples. Write a list of twenty things you love about each other and take turns reading them out.
If you do this regularly you will slowly take it on board and start to believe it about yourself. In a relationship you aren’t just learning about the other person, you are also learning about yourself.
4) On the flip side; also be open to constructive criticism
A relationship will hold up a mirror to your flaws. Things we see as unacceptable in others, often reflects our own behaviours or past triggers that we react to. Be open to sharing and learning more about these areas of yourself - no one's perfect! I t doesn’t mean you are a terrible person or that you are unlovable, it just gives you something to work on.
Tip: When giving constructive feedback; start with praise or a positive comment, give the feedback, and then round it off by reiterating the positives once more to soften the edges and make it more palatable.
5) Forgive yourself for your failings
It’s inevitable in a relationship that there will be times you say or do things that you might regret and feel guilty about. Don’t beat yourself up about it - everyone makes mistakes. Admit when you are wrong and apologise when necessary.
6) Remember love is an action, not a feeling
Wise minds have always maintained that love is something you choose to do, not an emotion that you feel … I would agree with this. It’s not our god-given right, it’s something you have to work at. The same is true about loving yourself.
Schedule some “me time” everyday. This is a period where you put yourself first over any other commitments or other people. Make sure you take a lunch break. Wake up early and go for a walk . Do a meditation. Read a book. Simple activities that you enjoy and deserve.
Remember that self-love is an essential ingredient for enjoying happy, healthy, and respectful relationships. When you are secure, confident, and feeling good about yourself you feed positive energy into other people also.
Focus on self-love and see how your love life improves.
Much love, Rae xx