Love Thyself: The Ethics of Self-Care

Valentine’s Day is here, and love is everywhere! Celebrated, sought after, and sometimes, longed for, but what is love, really? And must it always be directed outward?

We are often told, “?????? ???????????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?????????? ??????,” yet many of us spend our lives seeking love externally, through validation, achievements or relationships, without first turning inward. But ???????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????????????????? ???? ???? ??????????, ?????? ?????????????????? ???? ???? ???????????????????? ????????????? In a world that glorifies self-sacrifice, self-care is often mistaken for selfishness. But ??????’?? ????????-???????? ?????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????? ????????? ?????? ???? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ???? ?????????????? ???????????????????

We often think of love as something we give, but love is also something we are. If we don’t practice self-love, our relationships may become driven by need rather than generosity. ?????? ?????? ???? ?????????? ????????????????, ??????????????????????????, ?????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ??????????????????? The call to “Love Thyself” is not about vanity; it’s about ?????????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????? ????????-??????????. Only when we cultivate love within can we extend it freely, without expectation or dependence. This phrase echoes classical moral wisdom, similar to "???????? ??????????????" from ancient Greek philosophy. It suggests that loving oneself is not just an emotional act but a fundamental principle of living well.

The Bhagavad Gita offers a powerful take on self-love, one that isn’t about indulgence or fleeting affirmations but about recognizing the divine within. When we understand ourselves as more than our successes, failures, or societal roles, we develop a deep sense of inner peace and confidence. It teaches that true self-love begins with understanding yourself as the ??????????, the eternal self, beyond the achievements and struggles of the material world. K???a reminds us that self-love isn’t about feeding the ego but about transcending it! ???????? ???? ???????????? ourselves ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ????????????????????, ???? ?????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????????? ??????, ?????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ???? ??????????????. It’s about living with self-discipline, honoring your ???????????? (duty), and cultivating inner balance. When we see ourselves with clarity and compassion, our love for others flows effortlessly. ?????? ???????? ???? ?????????????? ?????????? ??????????????, ?????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????????, ?????? ???????? ?? ?????????? ???? ??????????????????, ?????? ???????? ????????????????. Maybe self-love isn’t something to chase but something to uncover.

So, what does ethical self-care look like? it’s about:

?? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????????

?? ???????????????????? ????????-????????????????????, ???????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??????????

?? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ?????? ???????????? ??????????

??? ???????????????? ??????????????????????????, ???????????????? ???? ??????????????????, ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????????? ??????????

In essence, self-love is not indulgence, but an ethical imperative, a practice of honouring oneself in order to live a meaningful, flourishing life and to be of true value to others. So, instead of searching for love outside, what if we started by living it from within? Perhaps love isn’t just a feeling, but a practice, a way of being, and living, not just in grand gestures, but in everyday acts of care, for ourselves and others.

So, I ask: ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????????????? ????, ?????? ???????? ?????? ????????????, ?????? ?????? ????????????????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????’??, ????????’?? ???????????????? ???????

Let’s start the conversation!

.

.

.

.

#Love #SelfLove #SelfCare #Valentine'sDay #Philosophy