How I learned to love myself

#storytime #lemon8contest

I used to be my own worst critic. I think we all are. My oldest child has humbled me and made me love who I see in the mirror.

Why? Look at these pictures of her and myself when I was younger.

Everything I was, is who she is. Everything that I am, is who she will be.

She has all of the best qualities of me that I use to dislike about myself.

When I criticize myself, I criticize her. So now, I work harder to love myself and take care of myself, because she is a reflection of me.

2024/7/6 Edited to

... Read moreThe journey to self-love can be challenging, but it’s essential for our well-being. Many people struggle with self-criticism, often basing their self-worth on societal standards or past traumas. However, learning to love ourselves can transform our lives and those we influence. In reflection, one must realize that our children often reflect our insecurities. This realization can encourage us to become better versions of ourselves, as they observe and learn from how we treat ourselves. To cultivate self-love, consider incorporating daily affirmations, mindfulness practices, or journaling about your strengths. Surrounding yourself with positive influences, and engaging in activities that bring joy, can foster a healthier self-image. Remember, the path to self-acceptance is not linear; embrace the journey and understand that progress is more important than perfection. By prioritizing self-care, you not only enhance your own life but also set a profound example for the younger generations watching us.

12 comments

Shanika Marie's images
Shanika Marie

this is beautiful and I am so happy you learned to loved yourself more. both of you are beautiful

See more(1)

Related posts

A mirror selfie of Evelyn squatting, wearing sunglasses, with the title "HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE MYSELF SWIPE" and her Lemon8 handle, introducing her self-love journey.
Evelyn takes a mirror selfie, illustrating "alone time" and how she learned to date herself after a breakup, finding comfort and self-love in her own company.
A dark outdoor scene with a street light, overlaid with text about "keeping my word to myself," emphasizing the importance of fulfilling promises to oneself for self-worth.
how I learned to love myself
as a teenager I became really self-destructive and I hated myself. I felt so unworthy and like I needed a boyfriend so that I could have value. I could never be alone, and I spoke so negatively about myself. it wasn’t until I went through a life changing breakup 2 years ago that I knew something ne
evelyn

evelyn

56 likes

How I Learned To Love Myself ♡
I learned to love my body. I started to embrace my “flaws” and realized that they are a part of me. I realized that all bodies are different and beautiful and I shouldn’t be ashamed of or embarrassed of anything about myself. I no longer wished that there were things about me that I could change. I
☆ kyliiii ☆

☆ kyliiii ☆

3 likes

A shadow of a person is cast on a light-colored wall, with the title "things i've learned to love about myself" overlaid.
A person takes a mirror selfie while holding a saxophone, with text "being a 'band kid'" and "knowing how to play jazz is one of the most attractive things".
A person takes a mirror selfie, showcasing their full body, with the text "being tall & skinny" written vertically on the right.
things i’ve learned to love about myself
1- being a “band kid” i was bullied everyday in high school and middle school for being in the marching band. everyone called me a band kid. when people think of band kids, they think of you as a nerd, unattractive, annoying, etc. now, i get to major in jazz and do the thing i love as a career. m
madz

madz

632 likes

A glass mug of coffee sits on a pink notebook with 'notes & thoughts' on a fluffy white surface. The image title reads 'HOW I'M LEARNING TO LOVE MYSELF Self love'.
A glass mug of coffee is on a white surface next to a pink mushroom lamp. Text describes spending time alone, going on dates, workout classes, getting coffee, and walks.
A laptop is on a bed with a pink wavy mirror and flowers in the background. Text discusses making and following through on promises to build trust and self-reliance.
How I’m learning to love myself
One of my favorite topics to talk about! SELF LOVE! Now this took me some time to understand & to take action on because I never knew what it was like to love myself or be capable to love myself. Especially after such toxic relationships & friendships. I didn't know I was worthy of
Andrea Kelly

Andrea Kelly

1055 likes

A bed with multiple pillows, some plain and some patterned, featuring the title text "lessons i learned from a TOXIC RELATIONSHIP" in white and pink, with the Lemon8 handle.
A white vase holding dried pampas grass on a wooden shelf, with text explaining that how someone treats you reflects their internal issues, not your worth.
A person standing in a grassy field under a cloudy sky, with text stating that manipulation and disrespect out of anger are not love, and advising to walk away from such behavior.
what i learned from a toxic relationship ❤️‍🩹
about 4 years ago, i found myself in a relationship that left me feeling anything but peaceful. he was manipulative, quick to anger, and disrespectful—not just to me, but even to his own family. looking back, i see now that it was missing a foundation of love, respect, and God’s presence. i’ve l
Erriel Lorré

Erriel Lorré

687 likes

what i’ve learned as a 24 year old ✨🦋
it’s crazy how much you think you know when you’re a teenager 😂 i’ve learned sooooo much just over the past couple years it still blows my mind. i’m grateful to say that i’m a completely different person than i was in the best possible way - i have new appreciation for life and myself and oth
carley ◡̈

carley ◡̈

128 likes

I FINALLY started to LOVE MYSELF + this is how💗✨
Self love 🤍✨💗 It’s a continuous journey of constantly losing yourself, finding yourself, shaping yourself into the person you want to be and then repeating that cycle all over again. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life… practicing self love is always going to be a never ending journey. T
Sarah Bispy

Sarah Bispy

247 likes

How I’ve Learned Self-Love 💗
Practicing self-love is a journey that involves nurturing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Here are some tips and methods to help you cultivate self-love: Mental Practices: 🙏🏻 Positive Affirmations: Start each day with positive affirmations. For example, "I am worthy,"
mindofieva

mindofieva

217 likes

A beige paper with the title "Languages I've Learned and Methods I've Used to Learn Them" is pinned to a wooden board, surrounded by other notes and papers.
A beige card details how Spanish was learned, including children's books and media exposure, with a current A1 proficiency level, set against a vibrant, colorful background.
A blue card outlines French learning methods, including a college course and media, indicating an A2 proficiency level, with a background featuring French cultural elements like croissants and the Eiffel Tower.
Languages I've Learned and Methods I've Used
Embarking on a language learning journey has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve explored various languages over the years, and each approach has its own unique benefits. I’m excited to share the techniques that worked best for me! **Spanish 🇪🇸** Growing up in the U.S.
Gavi Morgan🌴0.2

Gavi Morgan🌴0.2

51 likes

how i learned to enjoy being home alone🩷🛌
when i first moved into my apartment alone, i was a little bit nervous because i don’t love to be alone very much. however, ive kind of grown to love my time alone with myself. some of the ways i began to love being alone is making my space feel like mine🩷 i decorated and picked new furniture to ma
maeve

maeve

502 likes

i learned these the hard way, trust me
here are my most important tips for you if you’re an incoming law student or are already in law school, as someone who learned these truths the hard way. 🥸 🧖🏻‍♀️ 1. YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE. you are so valuable, so act like it!! get rid of people who don’t contribute to you
arianna 🌺

arianna 🌺

202 likes

A person takes a mirror selfie in a tiled room, with text overlays "How to STOP overthinking" and "SWIPE". Decorative stars and flowers are also present, along with the Lemon8 watermark.
A plain background displays the title "8 Japanese techniques to stop OVERTHINKING" in large, bold yellow and black text, with the Lemon8 watermark at the bottom.
Text defines "IKIGAI" as having a purpose in life, listing four rules: do what you love, do what you're good at, do what the world needs, and do what you can be paid for.
How I’ve learned to reduce my racing thoughts 💭
Overthinking has always been a huge problem for me. There are moments when the racing thoughts would swallow me up and I would overwhelm myself. Drowning in thoughts is so stressful. These techniques are so powerful. As soon as I started applying these techniques to my daily life, the more free
S E D A Y ღ

S E D A Y ღ

16 likes

4 Things I’ve Learned on my Creator Journey
So I’ve been doing content creation on & off since covid. These are 4 things that I’ve learned through the past 5 years & also the reason that I am still working to be monetized & financial free through social media. 1. When I’m consistently posting & interacting? I tend to see m
Your Favorite Content Creator

Your Favorite Content Creator

141 likes

How I learned to love myself..❤️🎉
It may be hard sometimes, but it’s something worth trying. 🫶🏼
Emma Polley

Emma Polley

1 like

How I Learned to Set Boundaries for My Well-Being
Learning to set boundaries for my well-being has been transformative, and working out has played a key role in this journey. I used to overcommit, constantly saying “yes” to others, and it took a toll on my energy and health. Exercise became my safe space, a daily non-negotiable that allowed me to
HHibs

HHibs

25 likes

How I Learned to Love Being Alone 💛
Let’s be real—being alone can feel awkward or even lonely at first, especially when we’re so used to constant noise, people, or distractions. But learning to enjoy my own company turned out to be one of the most empowering things I’ve ever done. Here’s how I made peace with solitude and actually st
Joy 📚

Joy 📚

169 likes

A woman with long brown hair takes a mirror selfie, looking thoughtfully to the side. A bandaged heart emoji is visible above her head, reflecting on lessons learned from past relationships.
A serene landscape features a river or lake with lush green trees and wooden docks under a blue sky. Overlay text advises choosing love that brings safety, security, and support.
An indoor patio with large windows overlooks a dense forested area and water. Overlay text states, "you can't fix someone who doesn't want to change," with a note about heartbreak.
lessons I learned from my ex 🫠
the best thing you can take away from a failed relationships is lessons. and i certainly got a lot of those with my ex 😅 but that’s good!! it’s rare to find your person right away. and until then, you get to practice. all of my failed relationships (even the ones that were literal dumpster f
carley ◡̈

carley ◡̈

56 likes

5 truths about self-worth i learned too late
I used to think self-trust was something you either had or didn’t. Like confidence, or a personality trait. It’s not. Self-trust showed up for me when I stopped abandoning myself mid-process and started finishing things, even imperfectly. When I learned how to catch my own spirals instead of
Cariño ♎️👸🏽

Cariño ♎️👸🏽

4 likes

What I’ve learned as a newly Christian woman ✝️
1. READ THE GOSPELS FIRST MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN The gospel, simplified, is the good news that through Jesus Christ, people can be reconciled to God, receive forgiveness of sins, and have eternal life. It's about God's love, grace, and salvation offered to all who believe in Jesus
Heart

Heart

158 likes

A young woman with blonde hair, wearing a white satin dress with black straps, stands smiling against a dark wooden wall. The text overlay reads "TRUTHS I'VE LEARNED FROM College."
Four young people, two women and two men, are smiling and posing closely together in a dimly lit indoor setting. The text overlay states "YOU WILL PROBABLY LOSE TOUCH W/YOUR FRIENDS FROM HIGH SCHOOL."
A young woman with blonde hair, wearing a blue cutout swimsuit, stands on a sandy path leading to a beach with the ocean and sky in the background. The text overlay reads "Always prioritize your mental health."
5 TRUTHS I learned in College📚❤️
Hi everyone! I am a Sophomore this year, and my freshman year was a rollercoaster to say the least. I came to school after getting freshly cheated on, having no friends that I knew on campus, and questioning who I was. As I look back and reflect on my first year, these are the things that I feel we
Bree🍒

Bree🍒

67 likes

how i learned to love running (most of the time)
i just recently started running again after a 3-year hiatus and let me tell you… it wasn’t easy! i went from being able to run miles without stopping to feeling like a single mile was impossible! i’ve tried many times to get back into running over the course of the past 3 years, but i’d only ev
staci york 💛🍋

staci york 💛🍋

342 likes

THINGS I LEARNED IN MY 20s
as cliché as this sounds, the best piece of advice i ever received when i turned 20 was that HAPPINESS SHOULD BE THE ONLY DECIDING FACTOR FOR YOUR CHOICES! i think that sometimes, 20 something year-olds are some of the most stressed people. from graduating college to entering the real world, be
clarissa ♥

clarissa ♥

25 likes

31 lessons I learned in my 20’s
Now that the shock of turning 31 years old has worn off, I decided to make a list of 31 lessons I learned throughout my little life. Most of which were learned during my rough 20’s. 🫠 Let’s get into it.. 1. Boldly love myself - I wear a ring with my name on it. Never in a million years did I
Jau 🤎 Wellness Coach

Jau 🤎 Wellness Coach

54 likes

How I Learned to Stop Comparing Myself to Others
I used to constantly compare myself to others, feeling “behind” every time I saw someone else achieving what I hadn’t. This habit slowly drained my confidence, turning goals into burdens and joy into doubt. One day, I realized the toll comparison was taking on my mental health, so I made a choice t
HHibs

HHibs

16 likes

How I learned to start saying NO✨
I struggled with this for sooo long. Why does saying no feel like you’re being mean? It’s totally okay to say no and not even have a reason to do so! I started to say no and not over book myself and I feel so much better. Here’s how I started ^ #lemon8partner #wellnessessentials
Eva Hansen

Eva Hansen

16 likes

How I’ve Learned to Love Myself🫶
Self love can be really hard, and everyone struggles with it in some form or another. I have come a longgggg way on my journey to self love and I wanted to share some tips that have been the most helpful for me. Within the past year or two I have worked really hard to get to where I am now. I hope
Lily Ann Noon

Lily Ann Noon

10 likes

How I’ve Learned to Love Myself
Let’s get one thing clear: self love is a practice and not a one and done achievement. Here’s 3 ways I continuously show love to myself. 1. Connect With My Inner Child Connecting with my inner child has been transformative. Through meditations, I’ve started having conversations with her, askin
Abby

Abby

22 likes

What I’ve learned
Since today is my birthday, I thought I’d share some things that I’ve personally figured out and wish I’d paid attention to sooner versus later (even if it was obvious to others, we all learn at different paces): 1. The “you have to love yourself before you love another” is bull; the real lesson i
Jadee

Jadee

6 likes

Important Things I learned in Nursing School
1. You will want to practice skills on your down time. Even if you memorize everything step by step, you will do these skills every single semester so practicing helps keep how to do them in mind. Especially if you have a summer break. 2. Reviewing daily is a passive way to study but genuinely rep
Leah R

Leah R

3 likes

What I’ve learned so far studying abroad 🇫🇷
I am currently studying abroad in France! This is my first time ever traveling this far from home and doing any sort of study abroad. I’ve only been here for a little bit but I am already learning so much. Here are my thoughts: 🥐 Being here has definitely taught me to be more open-minded and
hannah

hannah

24 likes

See more