I think there is good and bad self-love, but I couldn't draw a line in the sand to show you where the borders lie! I also don't know if self-esteem can become vanity - although I suspect not if your self-love is just for you.
But how do we love ourselves in a non-toxic way? That I can answer. At least for myself! I love myself most when I do things for others. Small things like helping someone with a heavy bag or helping lift a pram up/down a flight of stairs. Is it completely selfless if it makes me happy? Pedantic philosophers would probably say it's not. But is it a toxic dopamine boost? No. At least not for me.
So I guess to answer that question. Love yourself for what you can do for others.
Patrik, I love your answer so much! I've never thought of doing things for others in terms of self-love. I've always framed it to myself in terms of life purpose, where my life purpose is to do things (big or small) that touch people's lives and make them better. I'm coming off a mentally-tiring week so can't quite see at the moment how seeing it your way as self-love and my way as life purpose fit together. Something to continue to mull on. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I think there is good and bad self-love, but I couldn't draw a line in the sand to show you where the borders lie! I also don't know if self-esteem can become vanity - although I suspect not if your self-love is just for you.
But how do we love ourselves in a non-toxic way? That I can answer. At least for myself! I love myself most when I do things for others. Small things like helping someone with a heavy bag or helping lift a pram up/down a flight of stairs. Is it completely selfless if it makes me happy? Pedantic philosophers would probably say it's not. But is it a toxic dopamine boost? No. At least not for me.
So I guess to answer that question. Love yourself for what you can do for others.
Patrik, I love your answer so much! I've never thought of doing things for others in terms of self-love. I've always framed it to myself in terms of life purpose, where my life purpose is to do things (big or small) that touch people's lives and make them better. I'm coming off a mentally-tiring week so can't quite see at the moment how seeing it your way as self-love and my way as life purpose fit together. Something to continue to mull on. I'd love to hear your thoughts!