What is self-love and why does it matter?

I’m often asked that question, and during a call Catherine Storing, Chief Style Coach hosted about The Love conversation, she asked me what I considered self-love.

I think that each of us have our own versions of what self-love is, and feel free to post yours on the comments below. In my experience and opinion, it includes honoring and valuing who we truly are, respecting ourselves and therefore claiming respect from others, accepting who we are, expressing our needs, understanding and knowing our value, being brave and willing to show up authentically, setting boundaries, appreciating all parts of ourselves, allowing ourselves to be creative and vulnerable, letting go of perfectionism, and the list can go on. It is a mouthful, and it can probably be summed up into loving ourselves unconditionally and fully.

Once there is a daily practice of self-love, it becomes easier to speak up, to make one’s personal needs a priority, and to pursue personal and professional growth. The self-love applies to entrepreneurs because by coming from a place of knowing their value and of honoring their truth, they can negotiate and value their products and services accordingly, without giving themselves up, and without the need to seek recognition and acceptance from the outside.

I started proactively living from a place of self-love after I was completely drained, overworked, underpaid, paid late, and not very respected at a job I held for three years. It got to the point that I could not take it anymore and I had to leave, even though I was not “supposed” to, since I had not found another job yet. I was working with a coach at the time, and even she advised me not to do it. Unfortunately, I did not have the mental clarity I needed to pursue another job while in that environment. I had to take a break, to nurture myself and my needs. Shortly after, I got another job, and based on my previous experience, I was able to express my needs, no longer willing to be taken advantage of. I asked for the flexibility I needed, and was able to write a book while working full time.

The self-love kept growing and I could no longer postpone my desire to start my own business, so that I could have the freedom to create a coaching system that embraces all parts of myself, and that fully supports my clients’ needs and growth. Thanks to personal and business life experiences, I find myself constantly having to recommit to self-love. Yes, I too am a work in progress. Through my own experiences and learnings, I coach entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, and those in a career transition who are looking for deeper meaning in their lives, into assessing their personal and professional lives, and into dedicating themselves to self-love and to the pursuit of their soul’s purpose and creative and authentic career/business dreams.

You can take a moment to assess your personal, professional and spiritual life, and see where you are fully practicing self-love and where you aren’t. If you feel like you are not fully there yet, how about if you give yourself a gift of coaching? If you feel ready to invest and commit to yourself, take a look at the Work with Elisa page. I posted a special offer for the Valentine’s Day weekend if you sign up by Monday, February 17^th.