Self-love can be a tricky subject: on the one hand it may feel selfish, syrupy, a sort of hippie-lite form of awakening. In many cultures, putting others before the self is frequently idolised as a virtue, while working on self-love is seen as indulgent. Perhaps it would be better to use the term self-compassion to avoid associations with those who love themselves a bit too much.

 

In any case, treating yourself kindly and with respect is absolutely at the centre of any self-development practice, and is in fact core to our ability to become who we are supposed to be in the world.