We’ve all heard it before: “You can’t truly love others until you love yourself first.” But how many of us actually know what that really means? Be honest—do you shrug it off, thinking, “Of course, I love myself! I mean, I live with myself every day, I make my own decisions, and hey, I think I’m pretty funny!”

But here’s the thing—have you ever stopped to really think about it? What does loving yourself actually look like in your day-to-day life? Let’s take a moment to break it down and get real about what loving you truly means.

Treat Your Body Like A Temple

Okay, so 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us: “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.” Sounds beautiful, right? But let’s get real for a second—if you knew the Holy Spirit was hanging out inside you, would you really treat your body the way you do? Like, would you honestly roll up to God’s house with a bag of fast food and a 12-pack? Would you invite Him in after a weekend of questionable choices and zero sleep? Probably not.

Here’s the thing—being the best version of yourself starts with taking care of the you God created. Your body isn’t just a shell; it’s a sacred space. And no, I’m not here to guilt you about skipping the gym last week or finishing that pint of ice cream (because same), but let’s talk facts. Science backs it up: the way you treat your body impacts your mind, mood, and energy. Junk food, lack of sleep, and no exercise? That’s a recipe for brain fog, crankiness, and burnout.

How can you show up for your people, your goals, or your purpose if you’re running on empty? And let’s be honest—if we can put in so much effort for a relationship or that “talking stage,” why not show up for yourself first? Loving yourself isn’t just a concept; it’s in the choices you make every day to honor the person God created you to be. So, how about we start treating that temple like it’s worth it? Because, spoiler: you are.

Know Your Worth

Let’s get straight to it: the way you talk to yourself is who you become. And who you become sets the tone for how others treat you. It’s a domino effect, my friend. So, let me drop a truth bomb—Psalm 139:14 says, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” That means God Himself handcrafted you, piece by piece, with intention and care. You’re not some assembly-line creation. He didn’t rush through; He knit you together with purpose.

Now, let’s break this down. If someone handed you a one-of-a-kind masterpiece made by God, would you toss it on the floor, let people trample it, or just…ignore it? Absolutely not. You’d probably put it in a glass case, shine a light on it, and guard it like it’s the Mona Lisa. Well, guess what? You are that masterpiece. Yes, YOU.

So why, oh why, do we let others treat us like we’re less than the divine creation we are? Why do we tolerate the disrespect, the dismissive comments, the people who drain us dry? Newsflash: you are not required to stay in spaces or in relationships where your worth isn’t honored. If someone calls you names or constantly disrespects your boundaries, guess what? You have every right to exit stage left.

Cutting people out doesn’t make you mean; it means you’ve read the manual on how to care for a God-made masterpiece. Knowing your worth means knowing what you will and won’t stand for. So, polish that crown, adjust your posture, and remember: you are valuable. You are worthy. And you deserve nothing less than what honors the incredible person God made you to be.

Identifying Your Boundaries

Let’s get real for a second—if you’re a mom, a wife, or a girlfriend, taking time for yourself can feel straight-up selfish. Like, how dare you even think about your own needs when everyone else is depending on you? But here’s the thing: if you ignore your own feelings and thoughts, how can you expect anyone else to take them seriously? Spoiler: you can’t.

Now, I’m not saying you should walk around with a "my way or the highway" attitude. But hear me out—when you get upset or your feelings are hurt, that’s your internal alarm system saying, “Hey! Something’s not right here.” That’s your cue to pause and figure out what boundary got crossed. And let me just add this little nugget of truth: other people’s emotions are not your responsibility.

Now, before you come for me, let me clarify. If you’ve got a toddler having a meltdown because they can’t wear their dinosaur PJs to preschool, yes, their emotions are your responsibility. But grown adults? That’s a hard no. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should be a total jerk and not care when someone’s feelings get hurt. I’m talking about those moments where you’re walking on eggshells, bending over backward to manage other people’s emotions like it’s your full-time job. It’s not.

Here’s the deal: understanding where you end and someone else begins is not just about keeping your emotions in check—it’s about keeping your sanity intact. Setting healthy boundaries doesn’t make you a bad mom, partner, or friend. It makes you a better one. When you set boundaries, you’re less anxious, less resentful, and a whole lot more present. You’ll find yourself parenting without guilt, loving without losing yourself, and finally feeling like the queen of your own life. Because let’s face it—you are.

 Loving yourself first isn’t just some cheesy phrase you throw on a coffee mug—it’s the foundation for every healthy relationship in your life, including the one with yourself. From treating your body like the temple it is (and maybe saying goodbye to fast-food binges...or at least cutting back) to embracing your worth as the fearfully and wonderfully made masterpiece that you are, it all starts with you. And let’s not forget those boundaries—because knowing where you end and others begin is the ultimate life hack for preserving your sanity and your joy.

If any of this hit home for you (and let’s be real, it probably did), now is the time to take action. Don’t let another day pass where you’re running on empty or pouring from a cup that hasn’t been filled. Start pouring into yourself. Click the link to pre-order Setting Boundaries With Faith & Love available on Kindle on February 14th!  It’s packed with actionable tips, thought-provoking exercises, and psychology-backed insights to help you level up your love for yourself—and everyone else around you.

Because you, my friend, are worth it.