Self-love: Often ridiculed but heavily underrated
Self-love. It's often ridiculed or dismissed as a superficial concept, something we associate with Instagram affirmations or self-help books that fill shelves. But what is often underestimated is how essential self-love is to our mental health, especially for young people who are currently under enormous pressure.
The mental health crisis among young people is a fact. Anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts have increased sharply, partly due to factors such as social media, the coronavirus pandemic, pressure to perform and uncertainty about the future. The coronavirus pandemic has certainly contributed to the mental health crisis among young people. The pandemic brought prolonged periods of isolation, uncertainty, and disruption of routines, leading to a significant increase in stress, anxiety, and depression among young people. It seems like all of this has been forgotten. Many young people lost access to their social networks and daily structure, which severely affected their mental well-being. This also increased feelings of loneliness and hopelessness.
During this period, young people may have learned the importance of self-love and self-care, but for many of them, that did not come naturally. Without the usual support of friends and school, they often had to find ways to manage their emotions on their own. Despair among these young people has increased by 40%. The pandemic has only highlighted the importance of mental resilience and self-love. In times of crisis, self-love can help protect young people from the negative effects of isolation and stress.
As adults, we may forget too often (assumption) that our worlds are completely different and that young people need more help with that, but find it difficult to tell. Young people are often in a phase of identity development in which uncertainties, fear of failure and social pressure play a role. The rapid hormonal and physical changes also affect their mood and emotional stability. These changes may contribute to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
The conclusion is that young people are much more vulnerable than adults.
“Instead of teaching them to work harder or adapt, it's time to focus on another powerful tool: self-love. If you peel off all mental challenges like an onion, you'll see that if you don't experience self-love and/or have no self-acceptance, you don't consider yourself good enough. While they are just good enough. If we followed their example at this strange time, people would not judge so quickly and harshly.”
Self-love: The answer to mental problems
Self-love is much more than just being kind to yourself. It means accepting yourself even when you fail or don't meet other people's expectations. For young people who struggle with negative self-esteem or constant social comparison, self-love can play a key role in restoring their mental well-being.
But here's the reality: if you haven't been taught self-love, you'll have to discover and develop it for yourself. Many young people grow up without the tools to take good care of their mental health. They may have parents who transfer their own insecurities, or they may be growing up in an environment where performance is more important than emotional well-being. The good news? Self-love can be taught even if you've never learned it.
How can we develop self-love?
Self-love goes beyond the individual level. It is a collective responsibility. But because not everyone learns this from home, young people should actively take steps to develop self-love. This can be done in the following ways:
We need to take this seriously and invest our time in it, this is not going to solve itself.
What can we do as a society?
If we want young people to learn to love themselves, we need to give them the tools to do so, even if they don't get them from home. This means schools must offer programs that focus on self-care and mental health. Parents must be supported to promote these values at home, and there must be greater access to affordable mental health care.
Self-love starts with recognizing that it's okay to put yourself first. It is not a luxury, but a necessity for mental resilience. We need to teach young people that they are enough, just the way they are. Even if they are not taught this, it is up to them to discover and embrace this value. Together, we can break the cycle of self-neglect and build a culture of self-love.
Conclusion: Self-love as a solution
Self-love isn't something we should laugh about, it's the basis of a healthy mind. In a world that is constantly asking young people for more, self-love gives them the strength to say, “I am enough.” By promoting self-love as a society, we can help a generation grow up with stronger self-esteem and a better ability to deal with life's challenges. Even if they don't learn it from an early age, young people can learn to give themselves the love they deserve.