I believe that we’re all born with selfish traits, and the world teaches us the importance of sharing and putting others first. But you realise that some tend to easily forget the importance of loving themselves. Understanding that self-love isn’t selfish, it’s necessary.
So, how do you balance that with the love you have for others?
How do you show up for yourself while showing up for others too?
There’s a lot tension between those lines, especially when you aspire to be or stay driven and empathetic.
It’s something we have to learn navigate through.
Self-Love: The Foundation of All Love
To me, the foundation from which all other love flows is self-love. Recognising your worth and showing yourself grace, even when you feel like you’re not doing enough or making the right choices.
It’s all about honouring your own needs, desires, and limits, and understanding that you deserve the same care you give to others. I’ve had moments where I’ve struggled with self-doubt, life decisions, or relationships. But through those struggles, I’ve learned that loving yourself means accepting yourself fully. The imperfections, mistakes, and all.
It’s a practice of being gentle with yourself, and that practice is powerful. When you truly love yourself, you’re more resilient, more capable of handling challenges, and you have more to give to those around you.
But here's the thing: loving yourself doesn't mean shutting others out. It doesn’t mean being selfish in the negative sense. Self-love doesn’t come from a place of ego. It’s about understanding that you’re human, and your needs matter just as much as anyone else's.
Loving Others: The Gift That Keeps Giving
Loving others is one of the greatest joys of life. Whether it's family, friends, colleagues, showing up for the people who matter most can be incredibly fulfilling. But the challenge arises when we pour so much of our energy into others that we forget about our own needs.
I’ve learned that when you give love without caring for yourself, you start to drain. You start to feel like you’re running on empty, and that can make it hard to show up authentically for anyone - yourself included. True love for others is about offering your energy, but not at the expense of your own peace and well-being. It’s about balance.
For me, relationships, whether personal or professional, are about mutual respect. It's important to give, but it’s just as important to receive. In order to love others fully, you need to set boundaries that protect your energy, and that’s something I’ve had to learn over time. Sometimes, saying "no" or taking time for myself is the most loving thing I can do for both myself and others.
The Dance of Self-Love and Loving Others
The tension between self-love and loving others is not something you solve once and for all. It’s an ongoing dance. Sometimes you’ll need to pull back and take care of yourself, and other times you’ll have to show up for someone else, even if it means sacrificing a little of your own time or comfort. Both are necessary. Both are beautiful.
One thing I’ve found helpful is being intentional about where I direct my energy. Meditation and God have helped me get grounded and reconnect with myself when life feels like it’s moving too fast. But I also find so much meaning in giving my time and love to others, whether it’s through my work, mentoring younger players, or connecting with fans. At the end of the day, it’s about alignment.
When you’re in tune with yourself, you know when to step back and when to give, and you do it from a place of abundance, not depletion.
Finding Peace Between The Lines
It’s okay if you’re still figuring out how to find peace between self-love and loving others. We’re all learning and evolving. For me, it’s been about understanding that self-love isn’t something you achieve and check off the list, it’s a journey. And loving others isn’t about sacrifice to the point of self-neglect. It’s about making sure your love is sustainable, not something that burns you out.
So, to anyone struggling with this balance, I want you to remember: You can’t pour from an empty cup. Fill yourself up first. The love you have for yourself will ripple out and elevate the love you give to others. And the love you give to others will reflect back into your own life, creating a cycle of care, compassion, and connection.
When you find peace within yourself, you’ll naturally create peace with others, and that's when true love begins to flow.
Love yourself, love others, and trust.
