Psychology experts emphasize that loving yourself does not mean being selfish. There is a clear line between healthy forms of self-love and narcissistic forms. But how can you tell them apart?
In 2023, scientists Eva Henschke and Peter Sedlmeier conducted a series of interviews with psychotherapists and other experts about what self-love is. It turns out that this love has three basic characteristics: self-acceptance, self-contact, self-care.
Some experts argue that self-compassion is necessary to honestly understand your own behavior. So, even if we are the judge, we need warm and compassionate self-evaluation to avoid the defensiveness that comes with fear of being judged. Therefore, positive self-love can help us grow as people.
Self-compassion may be necessary for a person to accept their mistakes. Modern psychologists interpret self-love as a compassionate attitude towards oneself. And in fact there is nothing contradictory in this idea, because it does not mean abandoning self-criticism. Self-compassion allows us to critique ourselves and grow from that, which leads to resilience. This produces the exact opposite of narcissistic egocentrism.
News materials cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
