Countless readers come to my blog through the search term ‘self-love’. It seems we’re all searching for it. I think that’s because we’re starting to believe all those thought leaders who have been telling us since the beginning of time that LOVE is the key to everything. And self-love is the most important kind of love there is.

We’re finally realizing that it’s not the same as being selfish. In fact, when we love ourselves, we can give more to those around us – and we can give the best of ourselves.

I found this quote through my own internet search and I want to share it with you today:

“If you celebrate your differentness, the world will too. It believes exactly what you tell it – through the words you use to describe yourself, the actions you take to take care of yourself, and the choices you make to express yourself. Tell the world you are a one-of-a-kind creation who came here to experience wonder and spread joy. Expect to be accommodated.” ~ Victoria Moran, Lit From Within: Tending Your Soul For Life-Long Beauty

The opening line grabbed me. I love that word ‘celebrate’. It goes beyond simply accepting. It’s the difference between mumbling, “Yeah, I’m kind of different,” and exclaiming with a joyful laugh, “YES! I’m different!” Celebrate your differentness.

And why should you celebrate it? Because it’s the thing that will bring you joy and serve others. Your joy serves others. Spreading that joy serves others. See how totally unselfish self-love is?

Victoria Moran goes on to explain how exactly you tell the world that you cherish you: through the words you use to describe yourself, how you take care of yourself and how you express yourself.

I especially love that Victoria includes how you express yourself as a form of self-love. Remember when I chose to wear that dress despite the fact that I’d be the only one wearing tulle? I LOVE tulle and it highlights my femininity and makes me feel like I’m showing up the way I want to. I hesitated, though, in making that decision. I think we sometimes hesitate or choose something completely different when we are not celebrating who we are. In all forms of creative expression, often when we feel ourselves holding back we’re struggling with valuing ourselves.

[Tweet “It’s hard to be bold when we’re not sure we deserve the joy and freedom creativity brings. “]

Go on, right now, and grab a piece of paper and make 3 columns. Fill your columns with your descriptions of yourself, your rituals of self-care and your creative expressions.

What do you notice about how easy (or difficult) it is to fill those columns? What do you notice about your descriptions of yourself? Are you taking care of yourself optimally? How do you express yourself creatively?

Celebrate your differentness.