Learning to Love Ourselves in a Busy World

Learning to Love Ourselves in a Busy World

As humans, we all expect others to love us, take care of us, motivate us, and stand by us during difficult times. There’s nothing wrong with these expectations—they are natural human needs. But let’s also accept the truth: times are changing. People are not only hooked to their devices but are also fighting their own battles—both personally and professionally. In such times, we must realize that while we are not alone, we also cannot be everything for everyone.

This idea might be uncomfortable to digest, but as the saying goes, truth is often bitter. Does that make us selfish? No, not at all. We do want to be there for others, but our own struggles and limitations don’t always allow us to show up when someone needs us.

So how do we accept this truth and move forward? The answer lies in self-care. Let’s learn how to take care of ourselves. Today, there are terabytes of information available online. A single question typed into ChatGPT or Perplexity can open the door to countless libraries of knowledge. But self-care isn’t just about information—it’s about self-acceptance. We should love ourselves for who we are, body and mind. Let’s accept our belly, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t walk or jog. Let’s admit we can be short-tempered, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t meditate.

Think about the great achievers of the past. They never had TED Talks or motivational speakers on speed dial. What did they listen to? Their own inner voice. You guessed it right—self-motivation isn’t just a phrase; it’s an internal drive.

Let’s also learn to understand each other’s struggles and challenges. That understanding will help us give others space, instead of brooding and thinking, “No one cares about me. No one stands by me. No one motivates me.” Those feelings of crisis will only grow if left unchecked. Let’s not forget—we are a universe within ourselves. We can play all the roles we need to take care of our own lives.

Those who learn to take care of themselves and their health won’t have to depend on a caretaker in the future. The world is heading toward commercializing everything—wherever humans find a gap, a service appears. From food delivery to even hugging services, it’s all becoming a transaction.

So be yourself. Don’t wait for others to come and tell you who you are.

M.L. Narendra Kumar