At a time when self-esteem and self-image are at the center of attention it is important to distinguish between healthy self-love and narcissism. Self-love involves a balanced view of personal worth and well-being, while narcissism is an excessive display of self-admiration that often damages relationships and mental health.
Self-love is a necessary attribute for our well-being. It means accepting and respecting yourself in a healthy way. This includes accepting your strengths and weaknesses, setting healthy boundaries, and genuinely helping others without expecting immediate rewards. An individual who practices self-love helps others and supports healthy relationships while maintaining a stable and balanced self-esteem.
On the other hand, narcissism is an extreme form of self-esteem that often involves a constant demand for adoration and a marked lack of empathy. A narcissist usually demands constant attention and is unable to sense and understand the needs of others. This often leads to broken relationships and constant conflict, as narcissistic individuals often see the world only through the lens of self-interest.
The main differences are clear: Self-love helps create a balanced self-esteem and helps develop healthy relationships, while narcissism focuses on the need for constant adoration and often damages relationships and mental health. People who practice self-love are able to accept their weaknesses and work on them, while narcissists often deny weaknesses and project blame onto others.
To cultivate healthy self-love it is important to accept your true worth and set reasonable goals that contribute to personal development. Being sensitive to the feelings of others and maintaining honest relationships without seeking immediate rewards are key elements to building healthy self-love.
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