---
title: Love Yourself First to See the Good in Others and Help the World
description: So often we are told to put others first and to think of them before we think of ourselves. While this is important to an extent, it is also important to love yourself first. When you love and take care of yourself, you are then able to be the best version of yourself for others. [&hellip;]
author: Andie Cox (Guest Writer)
date: 2022-07-14T07:22:32.000Z
updated: 2026-02-26T22:02:25.379Z
canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/love-yourself-first-to-see-the-good-in-others-and-help-the-world
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/content-pixie-2V5PJgGqyts-unsplash-1.jpg
categories: Wellbeing
content_type: Opinion
region: Global
publication: Rich Woman Magazine
---

So often we are told to put others first and to think of them before we think of ourselves. While this is important to an extent, it is also important to love yourself first. When you love and take care of yourself, you are then able to be the best version of yourself for others. Find out how in this article.

**The Power of Loving Yourself First**

Loving yourself first is one of the most important things you can do in your life. When you love yourself, you open up the possibility to really love others and make a difference in the world. When you don’t love yourself, it’s difficult to have lasting, meaningful relationships with others. It’s also difficult to be truly happy.
Loving yourself doesn’t mean being selfish. It means taking care of yourself emotionally and physically so that you can be the best possible version of yourself. It means being kind to yourself, forgiving yourself, and [accepting yourself ](https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/2019/10/10/deliciously-sustainable-lifestyle-changes-series-self-love-before-all/)exactly as you are.

When you love yourself first, it’s easier to see the good in others and to be compassionate towards them. You’re also more likely to [take care of your own needs](https://richwoman.co/article/setting-boundaries-to-enrich-your-life-and-wellbeing) so that you can be there for others when they need you. And when you’re at your best, you’re able to help others in a much more effective way.
So if you want to make a difference in the world, start by loving yourself first. It’s the most powerful thing you can do.

### **Why So Many People Don’t Love Themselves First**

It’s no secret that a lot of people don’t love themselves. In fact, it’s estimated that only about 20% of people actually do. That means that a whopping 80% of people don’t love themselves first and foremost. There are a lot of reasons why this might be the case. Perhaps they had [parents](https://richwoman.co/article/parenting-with-calm-and-compassion-from-the-empty-nest-the-art-of-letting-go) who didn’t love themselves and so they never learned how. Maybe they’ve been through some tough times and they believe that they don’t deserve to love themselves. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that not loving yourself can have a negative impact on your life – and on the world around you.

When you don’t love yourself, you’re more likely to engage in self-destructive behaviours. This can lead to things like addictions, eating disorders, and other harmful behaviours. It can also lead to depression and anxiety, which can make it difficult to function in day-to-day life. Not only does this negatively impact your own life, but it also takes a toll on those around you. Your family and friends worry about you and your well-being. They may even be forced to take care of you when you’re not able to take care of yourself.
Loving yourself first is the most important step you can take, so make a promise to yourself to start today.

### **How You Can Help Others By Loving Yourself First**

It’s easy to get caught up in trying to do good for others and neglecting our own selves in the process. But if we want to be of any help to the world, it’s important that we love ourselves first. Only then can we truly give our best to others. Here’s how you can help the world by loving yourself first:
1. Take care of your own physical and mental health. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of anyone else. Make sure to eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, and do whatever else you need to do to stay healthy and happy.
2. Work on your own personal development. Again, if you’re not working on becoming the best version of yourself, you won’t be able to help anyone else reach their potential either. Read books, listen to motivational tapes, attend workshops and seminars…whatever you need to do to grow as a person.
3. Be a positive role model for others. Show those around you that it’s possible to live a happy and fulfilling life by being an example yourself. Let your light shine bright for all to see!
4. Find your passion, find your voice and you can [help the world.](https://www.bookgenius.co/beyoubook)

It’s important to love yourself first before you can help the world. Only when you are at peace with who you are can you be truly[ effective in making positive changes ](https://richwoman.co/article/5-easy-steps-to-creating-a-healthy-morning-routine)in the world. So take some time for yourself, nurture your own happiness, and then go out there and [make a difference!](https://app.richwoman.co/)

[https://www.youtube.com/embed/VBPyhu7mMWA?feature=oembed](https://www.youtube.com/embed/VBPyhu7mMWA?feature=oembed)
