Self-love stands as a cornerstone of personal well-being and growth, yet it remains elusive for many individuals. In a world that often prioritises external validation and perfectionism, fostering self-love necessitates deliberate shifts in mindset. The first step, according to Khyati Kanji, a psychologist and art therapist, is to differentiate between self-love for selfishness. “I have come across various people who mistake self-love for selfishness. While selfishness stems from an intent to be inconsiderate, the intent in self-love is to nurture ourselves without causing harm or loss to others.” Another misconception, Kanji said is the idea that “self-love only means showering oneself with gifts and indulging in all things we love.” “While that is one way of giving to ourselves, self-love can also involve engaging in activities that we may not like or find comfortable but know will benefit us in the long run.” For instance, working out, going for therapy, focusing on self-growth, regular health check-ups, me-time, and maintaining emotional boundaries to preserve our peace of mind, are steps to practice self-love, as per Kanji. …