Loving Yourself First: But How?

 

Love yourself first, they say it plain,
But words run thin when fear brings pain.
Be kind, have grace—nice things to hear,
They vanish fast when shame is near.

 

You need the how for truth to stay,
This job is yours, in every way.
To care for you, both now and then,
Not trash your future from fears within.

 

Love yourself first, both short and long,
Care that endures is rarely wrong.
Love yourself first, no short-term flame,
A steady aim beyond praise and blame.

 

If only now is all you see,
You’ll clash with me, I’ll clash with thee.
But long and short held side by side,
No harm is found where those reside.

 

The reason love is hard to feel,
Is “shoulds” that cut and “musts” that seal.
“I’m not enough,” “I must be more,”
This self-blame’s worse than any war.

 

Those “shoulds” were tools to win applause,
To dodge contempt, obey old laws.
They claim protection, yet make you rue,
They block self care, that’s what they do.

 

Love yourself first, choose courage here,
Not fleeing blame, embrace that fear.
Love yourself first, act so it stays,
Fear fully felt lets choice obey.

 

Not reckless revolt, not proving wrong,
But grounded care that makes you strong.
Discernment lives inside that act,
To serve yourself you need no attack.

 

You build this strength a step a day,
Requests, a “no,” or words you say.
Each stretch the same from where you stand,
Because you’re taking back your land.

 

When guilt says “more,” or “don’t fall back,”
That virus voice has you hijacked.
So breathe out loud and shout that fear,
Then choose yourself with vision clear.

 

Love yourself first, now say it slow,
Not ritual, nor staged bravado.
Real fear met where it truly lives,
Courage is love that to you give.

 

The Now that rests, the Next that plans,
Are not at war, but shaking hands.
Self-love is this, it is sublime.
No self betrayed through all of time.