5 Healthy & Beautiful Ways Self-Love Affects Relationships

To be in a healthy, fulfilling relationship, both you and your significant other have to be healthy first. Despite how much you both adore each other, that can’t replace the love you need to feel towards yourselves to have a successful relationship. It can be easy to get swept up into a romance and forget to prioritize your self-love practice. But did you know that by practicing self-love, your relationship can truly flourish? Keep reading for the 5 healthy & beautiful ways self-love affects relationships.

Image of two fingers holding hangs signifying how Self Love Affects Relationships.

What is Self-Love?

Before we get into the beautiful ways self-love affects relationships, we have to understand what self-love means. As you might have guessed, self-love is the act of loving yourself. But there’s a little more to it than that.

Self-love is acceptance of all your flaws and forgiveness for all your mistakes. It’s knowing your worth and not settling for anything less. It’s setting healthy boundaries and knowing when to say “no” to things that don’t serve you. Self-love is prioritizing your well-being and engaging in activities that fulfill your needs. It’s owning your power and knowing that you are capable of anything you set your mind to!

The Beautiful Ways Self-Love Affects Relationships

Self-love is a wonderful practice that positively affects all areas of our lives. But how can it affect our relationship? Let’s get into it!

1. You Focus on Your Alone Time

Yes, it can be tempting to spend 24/7 snuggled up in your love cave with your beau. But having alone time to practice self-love and self-care will be extremely beneficial in your relationship.

Your self-love practice is something you should partake in alone to properly connect with yourself. Through this connection, you’re able to have a deeper understanding of yourself, which allows for a meaningful connection with others.

Taking time away from your partner lets you recharge your batteries and bring new vitality to the relationship. Plus, it helps you maintain your individuality and not lose sight of who you are.

2. It Helps You Set Healthy Boundaries

When you love yourself, you’re setting a standard for how you want to be treated. You no longer say “yes” to people just to please them. When you commit to something, it’s because you truly want to, not because of a fear of saying no.

Self-love helps you set healthy boundaries in your relationship for things that you won’t tolerate. They protect your well-being and set your expectations.

Healthy boundaries can be about anything from your physical, emotional, or financial needs. Self-love gives you the confidence to know that you have the right to be treated the way you deserve. Isn’t that is liberating?

3. You Don’t Need Someone Else to Complete You

When someone lacks self-love, they may look outside themselves for validation or for someone else to complete them. But the truth is, no one besides yourself is responsible for your happiness.

When you love yourself, you feel content knowing that you are all you need. You don’t have to rely on your partner to fulfill you or bring you joy because you already have that within you.

Your person will only add to your happiness and bring more love into your life instead of being the only source. Having that knowledge is powerful, and it makes you more secure and confident within yourself.

4. Self-Love Inspires Open Communication

Having good communication in a relationship doesn’t always come easy. Everyone has different communication styles, and finding the right balance can take practice.

Self-love helps you understand your thoughts and emotions, which can help you express them clearly to your partner. Until you truly take the time to connect with yourself and unpack your feelings, trying to express them can be difficult.

Have you ever said things like, “I don’t know why I’m so angry today”? Or even found yourself taking out your frustrations on your partner?

Self-love can help you understand these emotions and figure out the root of the issue. This can help avoid unnecessary arguments (phew) with your S/O and help you communicate your feelings openly and concisely.

5. It helps you Be Truly Present

The idea of being “present” can sound a bit abstract. You might be sitting right in front of your beau, but are you really being present? Or are you scrolling on your phone or thinking about a work assignment?

Being present means you are fully engaged and focused on the current moment. Basically, your undivided attention is on whatever the activity at hand is, i.e., having dinner with your partner. Through self-love and self-care practice, you become in tune with yourself, which helps you be present not only for yourself but for your relationship.

Since you’ve already taken the time to care for yourself and tend to your needs, you’re able to show up for your partner. There’s nothing worse than talking to someone who doesn’t seem to be listening. By being present, you’ll strengthen the connection and trust in your relationship.

How Do You Practice Self-Love?

So we’ve touched on the beautiful ways self-love affects relationships, and now you’re eager to implement the practice into your life? If so, go you! Self-love can be as simple as getting enough ZZZ’s and drinking enough water! But here are a few other simple ways you can start showing yourself some love.

Silence your inner critic. This one’s hard, but the next time you notice your “inner critic” judging you, try to focus on something positive instead.

Do what you love. Whatever makes your heart sing – painting, baking, writing – do more of that.

Looking for more ways to adopt a practice of self-love and still build your relationship? Check out our article here!