Self-Love Practices: How EFT Tapping Can Help You Love Yourself First
Self-love isn’t always easy, especially when negative thoughts and past experiences hold you back. In this blog, you will explore how EFT Tapping can help you get rid of self-doubt, heal emotional wounds, and inculcate a deep sense of self-acceptance creating a more confident and empowered version of yourself.
What Is Self-love? | Explore The Beautiful Shades Of Self-love | The Building Blocks Of Self-love Practices | How Deep Is Your Love For Yourself? | Your Results | Why Does Self-love Seem So Hard? | How Eft Tapping Can Help You Cultivate Self-love? | Embrace Yourself: An Eft Tapping Steps To Explore Self-love | A Case Study That Supports The Efficacy Of Emotional Freedom Techniques | Conclusion | Summary
Love is in the air this month!
While we often think of love in terms of romance, love exists in many forms: self-love, love for family and friends, and even the love we show through kindness and compassion.
But how often do we truly embrace love in its purest form? Not just receiving love from others, but deeply loving and accepting ourselves?
Let’s start with a small story.
Maya had always been the person others relied on. She took care of her family, helped her friends, and was always there to support her colleagues.
One day when she looked at herself in the mirror, she felt exhausted. Her reflection made her ponder, “Maya, when was the last time you truly cared for yourself?” That question hit her hard.
She couldn’t remember the last time she did something for herself. She was always giving but never receiving – not even from herself.
She realised she had spent years putting others first while completely neglecting her own needs. That’s when she began her journey of learning to love herself.
WHAT IS SELF-LOVE?
Self-love isn’t just about pampering yourself with spa days or treating yourself to a fancy meal (though those are lovely!). It’s about:
✔ Accepting yourself as you are with your flaws, strengths, and everything in between.
✔ Setting healthy boundaries and saying no without guilt.
✔ Letting go of negative self-talk and embracing kindness towards yourself.
✔ Recognizing your worth, regardless of what others think.
This realisation can be life-changing, but knowing where to start isn’t always easy. That’s where EFT Tapping plays a role as a powerful yet gentle technique that helps release emotional baggage and create space for self-love.
EXPLORE THE BEAUTIFUL SHADES OF SELF-LOVE
Self-love isn’t just about feelings. It has different aspects that help create a well-balanced and happy life.
1.
Emotional Self-Love
This is about accepting your emotions, no matter how messy they feel. It means allowing yourself to cry, feel joy, or express frustration without judgment.
Ask yourself: Do I suppress my emotions, or do I allow myself to feel them fully?
2.
Physical Self-Love
Caring for your body is an act of love. Eating nourishing food, moving your body, and getting enough rest are ways to show yourself you matter.
Ask yourself: Do I treat my body with care, or do I push it beyond its limits?
3.
Mental Self-Love
Your thoughts shape your reality. When you constantly criticize yourself, you create an environment of self-doubt. Practicing self-compassion and challenging negative thoughts can help you develop a healthier mindset.
Ask yourself: Do I speak to myself with kindness or harsh criticism?
4.
Spiritual Self-Love
This isn’t just about religion. It’s about connecting with something divine whether that’s nature, meditation, or a sense of purpose.
Ask yourself: Do I take time to nourish my soul and find inner peace?
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF SELF-LOVE PRACTICES
Self-love isn’t the same for everyone. It has different parts, and each one helps you create a better, healthier relationship with yourself.
1.
Self-Acceptance:
Accepting who you are without judgment, recognizing your imperfections, and learning to embrace them
2.
Self-Compassion
Compassion: Being kind to yourself, especially when you make mistakes. Understanding that you are human, and it's okay to stumble along the way.
3.
Self-Care:
Taking time to nurture yourself, whether through rest, nutrition, exercise, or simply doing something that brings you joy.
4.
Setting Boundaries:
Knowing when to say no and protecting your energy, time, and emotional well-being.
5.
Self-Worth:
Believing that you are deserving of love, success, and happiness, no matter what anyone else may think.
By embracing these elements, you give yourself the care, kindness, and respect you truly deserve. Through EFT, you can begin to permit yourself to nurture your heart and mind.
HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE FOR YOURSELF?
Take this quick quiz to check where you stand in your self-love journey.
1.
How often do you make time for self-care (relaxing, hobbies, rest) ?
A. Hardly ever - I always put others first.
B. Sometimes - I try, but life gets in the way.
C. Regularly - I know taking care of myself is important.
2.
How do you talk to yourself after making a mistake?
A. I’m harsh and critical of myself.
B. I try to forgive myself but often feel guilty.
C. I acknowledge it, learn from it, and move forward with kindness.
3.
How comfortable are you with setting boundaries in your relationships?
A. It’s really hard, I often say yes when I want to say no.
B. I try, but I still feel guilty when I put myself first.
C. I set clear, healthy boundaries and respect my own needs.
4.
How often do you remind yourself of your worth?
A. Rarely - I struggle with self-acceptance.
B. Sometimes - I try, but it’s difficult.
C. Often - I appreciate who I am and what I bring to the world.
YOUR RESULTS
Mostly A’s: It’s time to start your self-love journey. You may be dealing with limiting beliefs and unkind self-talk. EFT tapping can help you release those negative emotions and begin the process of self-acceptance.
Mostly B’s: You’re on your way, but there’s room for growth. Incorporating more self-care and self-compassion will help you build stronger self-love.
Mostly C’s: You’re doing wonderfully! Keep nurturing yourself and practicing self-love with kindness and intention. EFT tapping can enhance your journey and help you continue to evolve.
No matter where you are, self-love is a journey, so be kind to yourself along the way! Reflect upon which category you fall into.
WHY DOES SELF-LOVE SEEM SO HARD?
Many struggle with self-love because of past experiences, harsh criticism, heartbreak, childhood conditioning, or social expectations.
You gradually tend to develop patterns of self-doubt, fear of rejection, or a habit of putting others before yourself.
But did you know that love, self-worth, and emotional well-being are deeply connected?
How you feel about yourself affects your relationships, your decisions, and even your success. a
Did you know?
✔ Emotional well-being shapes how you connect with others. When you practice self-compassion, you create healthier relationships.
✔ Practicing self-love has been linked to better mental health, higher self-esteem, increased motivation, and greater self-acceptance, all essential for thriving relationships.
✔ EFT Tapping helps reduce self-criticism and increase self-compassion, leading to greater emotional balance.
✔ A study on nurses found that EFT was linked to an increase in self-esteem, showing its potential benefits for self-worth and confidence.
HOW EFT TAPPING CAN HELP YOU CULTIVATE SELF-LOVE?
Do you struggle with negative self-talk or feel guilty when putting yourself first?
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a simple yet powerful practice that involves tapping on specific acupressure points while speaking affirmations. It helps release limiting beliefs, emotional wounds, and patterns of self-sabotage.
With EFT, you can:
- Let go of guilt for prioritizing yourself. (Putting oneself first isn’t being selfish)
- Shift from self-criticism to self-acceptance.
- Feel lighter and more connected to your own needs.
- Focus on self-care
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EMBRACE YOURSELF: AN EFT TAPPING STEPS TO EXPLORE SELF-LOVE
Here’s an EFT tapping script specifically designed for self-love.
EFT works by tapping on meridian points while speaking affirmations to release negative emotions and bring in positive energy. This script will guide you to tap through the points while developing a love for yourself and truly, deeply, completely accounting for who you are.
1.
Take a Quick Temperature Check
Before beginning, take a moment to check in with yourself. Reflect on your current level of self-love and acceptance by asking:
How do I feel about myself right now?
What thoughts or beliefs are blocking me from loving myself?
On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is deep self-love and 1 is very low), how much love do I feel for myself?
2.
Identify the Physical Sensations
Notice any physical sensations related to your emotions by asking:
Where do I feel this in my body?
What is the color, texture, size, or shape of this feeling?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how intense is this feeling?
3.
Begin Tapping on the Karate Chop Point
Tap on the karate chop point (side of your hand) while saying the setup statement three times:
“Even though I have struggled with loving myself fully, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Using the similar phrases, tap through the meridian points
- Top of Head (Crown)
: "I know I deserve love, but I’ve often struggled with truly accepting myself."
- Eyebrow (Start of the brow, near the nose): "There are times when I feel unworthy of love."
- Side of Eye (On the bone at the side of the eye): "I’ve been hard on myself and have had a hard time embracing who I am."
- Under Eye (On the bone under the eye): "I feel like I’m not enough just as I am."
- Under Nose (Between the nose and upper lip): "I’ve felt unworthy of love, from myself and from others."
- Chin (Center of the chin): "I’ve been carrying these feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt."
- Collarbone (Just below the collarbone): "It’s hard for me to fully love and accept myself the way I am."
- Under Arm (About 4 inches below the armpit): "I’ve been holding onto this belief that I need to be different in order to be loved."
- Top of Head: "But I am willing to let go of these feelings now. I am open to change."
Now, transition to positive affirmations. Reinforce self-love with positive tapping:
- Karate chop point (side of hand): "Even though I’ve struggled with loving myself, I deeply and completely love and accept myself now."
- Top of Head (Crown)
: "I choose to love and appreciate myself just as I am."
- Eyebrow: "I am worthy of love and kindness, especially from myself."
- Side of Eye: "I choose to believe that I am enough, exactly as I am."
- Under Eye: "I accept myself with all my strengths and imperfections."
- Under Nose: "I love who I am, and I know I deserve all the love in the world."
- Chin: "I am deserving of my own compassion and love."
- Collarbone: "I choose to let go of the belief that I am not enough."
- Under Arm: "I love and care for myself, and I honor who I am."
- Top of Head: "I am open to receiving all the love I have to offer myself. It now flows through me and around me."
4.
Breathe and Relax
Take a slow, deep breath in and out. Sip water and allow yourself to settle into this new sense of self-love and acceptance.
5.
Test Your Feelings
Reassess your emotions by asking:
What number is my self-love at now (on a scale of 1 to 10)?
What thoughts or feelings have shifted?
How do I feel about myself now?
If your number has shifted, that’s a positive sign! If it still feels low, continue tapping, focusing on any specific memories or beliefs that arise. You can repeat this process as many times as you like, and remember, with EFT, consistency and self-compassion are key.
Tips:
Tap gently with your fingertips on the designated meridian points while repeating the affirmations.
Speak with intention: When you tap, allow yourself to connect with each affirmation deeply and truly believe in the possibility of change.
Repeat the process regularly to reinforce self-love and release any negative beliefs or emotions that hold you back from fully loving yourself.
EFT is a powerful tool for shifting limiting beliefs and helping you embrace the love you deserve! How do you feel after trying this script?
A CASE STUDY THAT SUPPORTS THE EFFICACY OF EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES
A quasi-experimental study published in the Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences examined the impact of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on nurses' self-esteem. The research involved 115 nurses who participated in EFT training, with self-esteem levels assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale before and after the intervention.
The findings revealed a significant improvement in self-esteem post-training (P value=0.000), suggesting that EFT, which combines tapping on specific body points with affirmations, can serve as an effective complementary therapy for enhancing mental health among nurses. (1)
The case study on EFT’s effect on nurses' self-esteem highlights how Emotional Freedom Techniques can significantly enhance self-worth, which beautifully contributes to self-love. Since self-esteem is the foundation of how you value yourself, an improvement in self-esteem naturally brings a deeper acceptance and appreciation of oneself.
The study’s findings showed that after EFT interventions, nurses experienced a significant boost in self-esteem, indicating a shift from self-doubt to self-recognition. This is well aligned with self-love, as higher self-esteem allows people to treat themselves with more kindness, compassion, and acceptance.
By integrating EFT into daily practice, not only can you release limiting beliefs, but also strengthen self-love, leading to greater emotional well-being and personal fulfillment.
CONCLUSION
Self-love is a continuous practice, one that grows with patience and care. EFT Tapping helps release self-doubt and nurture deep self-acceptance. With every tap, you step closer to embracing yourself fully. So, take a deep breath and remind yourself: I am enough. I am worthy. I am loved.
Love,
Dr Rangana Rupavi Choudhari (PhD)
P.S. Want to discover if EFT is right for you?
SUMMARY
To summarise, self-love is essential for emotional well-being, yet many struggle with self-doubt and negative self-talk. This article explores how EFT Tapping can help release limiting beliefs, cultivate deep self-acceptance, and love yourself first. By gently tapping on specific points, you can rewire your mindset, let go of past wounds, and embrace your true worth. Self-love isn’t about perfection, it’s about recognising your value and treating yourself with kindness and self-care. With each tap, you move closer to a healthier, more loving relationship with yourself.
Quote:
“It’s all about falling in love with yourself and sharing that love with someone who appreciates you, rather than looking for love to compensate for a self-love deficit.”
― Eartha Kitt
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