Love yourself first: Inspiring quotes to boost your self-esteem

A few days back, I was having a horrible day at work. First, I reached late because of an unending traffic. And later, my glasses broke in the middle of a project. I had given up on the day when a colleague saw my gloomy mood and took me for a cup of tea downstairs. My mood lifted after a tete a tete with her and I finished the rest of my work successfully. A simple cup of tea had warmed me up from within that day.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the little acts of self-care that tend to have a deep impact on our wellbeing. We often dismiss them as insignificant, whether it’s taking a leisurely walk, savouring that warm cup of tea or even indulging in the simple act of reading inspiring quotes. Yet, it’s precisely these small gestures that ignite a powerful spark within us on most days, rekindling our self-esteem and sense of self-worth.
Join us as we embark on a journey through some inspiring self-love and self-belief quotes that have the potential to uplift our spirits and remind us of the importance of cherishing ourselves.

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”
-Oscar Wilde

Author Oscar Wilde’s words remind us that self-love is not a fleeting affair; it’s a lifelong commitment. Just as we invest time and effort into nurturing our romantic relationships, we must also invest in our relationship with ourselves. Cultivating self-love is the foundation for a fulfilling and joyful life journey. And one can start at any age, even after years of neglect. It is after all, the longest relationship one is going to be in!

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
-Buddha

Buddha’s wisdom emphasizes the universality of self-worth. Often, we are our own harshest critics. We go out of our way to make the life of our loved ones easier but don’t do the same for our own selves.

This quote serves as a gentle reminder that we are as deserving of love and compassion as anyone else. So learn to treat yourself with the same kindness that you extend to others.

“You are enough just as you are. Each emotion you feel, everything in your life, everything you do or do not do… where you are and who you are right now is enough. It is perfect.”
-Haemin Sunim

Bestselling author and Buddhist teacher Haemin Sunim’s quote celebrates the beauty of imperfection. It encourages us to embrace ourselves fully, recognising that we are complete in our current state. There are flaws that we try to hide or are guilty of, but doing so is unnecessary. We don’t need to be more, do more or achieve more to be worthy of self-love.

“Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.”
-Christopher Germer

Clinical psychologist Christopher Germer’s quote underscores the importance of self-compassion. Often, we extend empathy and understanding to friends and family facing challenges but forget to offer the same to ourselves. We tend to overlook the fact that self-compassion is a powerful tool for nurturing self-esteem.

In fact, if we start showing self-compassion on days that don’t go our way, we will emerge happier and stronger.

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
-Rumi

The world renowned Sufi mystic Rumi’s profound words remind us that love, including self-love, is already within us. It’s the barriers we construct, such as self-doubt and self-criticism, that hinder us from experiencing it fully. To boost our self-esteem, we must dismantle these barriers and allow this abundantly available love to flow freely within us.

These inspiring quotes serve as gentle guides on our journey to self-love and improved self-esteem. They encourage us to embrace our flaws, treat ourselves with kindness and recognize our intrinsic worthiness. By incorporating self-love into our daily lives, we can boost our self-esteem and cultivate a deeper sense of contentment and fulfillment. Remember, loving yourself is not selfish; it’s an essential act of self-care and empowerment, one that will surely take you places.