You’re probably familiar with self-help books and talk show hosts who tell you to love yourself, but you may be wondering how to go about that. While your relationship with yourself is the most important connection in your life, it’s easy to forget about nurturing it.

However, self-love and compassion are too important to neglect because they shape your experiences and relationships with others. Maybe you’re hard on yourself or so busy with external obligations that you rarely consider your priorities. Looking inward could help you to value yourself more.

These strategies will help you to think more highly of yourself:

1. Accept yourself. Know that you are worthy of love and respect the way you are now. Embrace yourself with all your strengths and weaknesses.

2. Clarify your purpose. Invent your definition of success. Ask yourself what a meaningful life means to you, even if that answer changes over time.

3. Talk yourself up. How do you speak to yourself? Choose words that are encouraging and uplifting. Use your internal dialogue to build your confidence and manage your emotions.

4. Offer forgiveness. Let go of the past so that you can move on. Take any decisions that you regret and turn them into opportunities to learn. Make amends where possible and resolve to handle things more constructively in the future

5. Avoid comparisons. Facebook didn’t invent social comparisons, but social media has increased the potential for envy and inferiority complexes. Try competing with your last performance instead of meeting someone else’s standards. You’ll accomplish more if you dare to be yourself.

6. Think positive. Looking on the bright side and being able to laugh at yourself makes you even more loveable. It also helps you to manage stress and deal with difficult circumstances.

Loving yourself can help you to enjoy more happiness, overcome challenges, and build healthier relationships with others. Make it a habit to treat yourself with kindness and respect.