Self-love is an essential component to have in our lives yet, embracing and understanding what it entails can be complicated and difficult.
There are numerous ways in which we can hinder ourselves from self-love. We can judge ourselves, demean ourselves or get caught in the comparisons trap.
In the TED Talks below, the speakers elaborate on how to deviate from self-loathing and embrace self-love. The speakers discuss why self-love matters.
They share their experiences and provide tips on what we need to do in order to look and see ourselves the way we deserve, with value, worth and with our unique beauty.
[bctt tweet=”Caira Lee’s TED Talk on “I Search 4 It Blinded” calls us to make ourselves our first priority, accept, and be kind to ourselves – @isireflectdaily ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
1. Caira Lee
I Search 4 It Blinded: The power of self-love and self-esteem
Caira, the National Award Winning slam poet speaks about what she calls radical self-love.
She discusses how we can look at ourselves with more love by embracing “our thing”/what we care about, being mindful of how we speak to others and also, ensuring to give self-love to others.
Watch here:
2. Ashley Graham
Plus Size: More like my Size
In this TED Talk, model and body activist Ashley Graham shares her experiences in her career, starting out as a model that did not fit into the traditional ideal standards of what a model should like.
Ashley believes there is no one perfect body and she affirms that beauty is beyond size.
Watch here:
[bctt tweet=”You are bold, you are brilliant, and you can beautiful! There is no woman like you – @ashleygraham. Watch her Ted Talk on Self Love.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
3. Adia Gooden
Cultivating Unconditional Self- Worth
Adia Gooden is a licensed clinical psychologist. In this TED Talk, she admits her insecurities growing up and her feelings of inadequacy.
Initially, she tried to cover it up with striving for perfection, busyness and a relationship, but that didn’t solve the problem.
Adia discusses how therapy and working on herself has helped her to develop a good sense of self-worth. In this Ted Talk, one of her tips for self-worth is the need to forgive yourself.
It’s important to reflect, acknowledge the pain and what you learned from a situation in order to move forward. Adia speaks about letting go of how you think you should look and be. Rather, she says, you should embrace the quirks of how you are.
Watch here:
[bctt tweet=”Embrace the quirks of how you are – @DrAdiaShani” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
4. Cheyenne Cochrane
A Celebration of Natural Hair
Cheyenne Cochrane is an advocate in the movement for women to embrace their natural hair. In her TED talk, Cheyenne talks about some of the stigma preventing women from embracing their natural hair such as covering it up because of professional aspirations.
She discusses why embracing natural hair is more than a hairstyle but a part of self-love, individuality, and empowerment.
Watch here:
5. Brene Brown
The Power of Vulnerability
Brene Brown is a researcher and storyteller. She studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong and love.
In this TED Talk, Brene discusses what she has come to learn about people who have a genuine sense of worthiness, love, and belonging.
She shares that the sense of worthiness comes when we have the courage to be imperfect, the compassion to be kind to others, and to connect as a result of embracing vulnerability.
Watch here:
[bctt tweet=”You can’t selectively numb emotions because, you then numb the other things..the joy, gratitude and happiness -@BreneBrown” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
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