Do I really need to love myself before I can find love?

Published on September 4, 2019

For the most part, people would like to find a healthy and loving relationship.  People who have had complicated relationships in the past might be confused about what a healthy relationship is.  As they are searching for love, friends and family might say things like, “you have to love yourself first.”

About Annie

Take, for example, the case of Annie.  Annie grew up in a home where her parents fought constantly.  Annie’s mother was controlling and would give Annie the cold shoulder when Annie did not do what she said.  If Annie did not do her hair or dress the correct way, her mother would criticise her and then not speak to her for days. When Annie’s mother needed something from Annie, she would be warm and affectionate with her.  Annie’s father was passive and would allow Annie’s mother to devalue the family because he was co-dependent and afraid to leave the marriage.

In this way, Annie did not have a healthy role model for what relationships should be.  Her self-esteem suffered from her mother’s hot and cold behaviour. She felt abandoned by her father because he did not protect her.  When Annie began dating, she would feel insecure and anxious because she thought that no one would like her.  This belief that she was not good enough lead to some anxious behaviours that pushed people away.  The pushing away was not because Annie did not love herself; it was because her insecurities and anxieties led to actions that were frightening or were hurtful to the men she was dating. She would often wonder, “Why am I still single?” If we were to clarify what “love yourself first, then someone will love you,” means, it would be that insecurities and anger lead to pushing away behaviours that people are not aware of.

If you are feeling attachment anxiety or social anxiety, understanding your fears and insecurities better will help you to change your behaviour.  Finding self-love can be a long journey, but that does not mean that you cannot have a healthy relationship.  Practising self-compassion can help to calm some of the negative self-talk that leads to anxious behaviours.

Here are some pointers on recognising and finding secure relationships even when you are feeling insecure:

1. Recognise your insecurities

Write your insecurities down and be curious about what behaviours come from these insecurities. Are you speaking poorly of yourself and others? Do you panic if your date doesn’t call you every day? Do you lash out if you feel that you are being rejected?

2. Do you like someone just because they like you?

When people are eager to find a relationship, they fall into “they like me so I will like them back” trap. When you are on a date, it is like an interview.  Don’t over-focus on whether they like you or not, focus on whether this person has the traits that you are looking for.

3. What won’t you tolerate?

Make a list of things that you will not tolerate in a relationship.  For example, I will not tolerate verbal or emotional abuse.

4. Real and false alarms:

If you have been betrayed or abused in previous relationships, you might have some false alarms. For example, you go on a first date, and your date calls you three days later instead of the next day.  Your first thought is that he is with another woman.  This leads you to lash out when he does call you.  A real alarm would be if you continued to date this person and you are in a monogamous relationship with him, and he disappears for a day or more at a time.

The bottom line is that you can work on loving yourself and finding a healthy partner at the same time.  The trick is being honest with yourself about your insecurities and recognising when a partner is unhealthy for you.  If your main priority is finding a partner, you might tolerate abuse if you believe you will never find anyone else.

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It is always helpful to understand your fears and insecurities to change your behaviour. To book an appointment with Dr Monica Borschel please contact +852 2521 4668 or email m.borschel@mindnlife.com.

Photo by Nathan McBride on Unsplash


Category(s):Anxiety, Attachment Issues, Relationships & Marriage

Written by:

Dr Monica Borschel

Welcome! My passion is to help you find inner peace and emotional comfort within yourself and your relationships.

As social creatures, our relationships significantly shape our happiness, well-being, and sense of self-worth. Unfortunately, many of us have experienced relationship-related traumas, which can leave us with emotional scars that require recovery.

Attachment traumas, such as divorce, break-ups, infidelity, neglect, and abuse, can be challenging. As an expert in attachment, loss, and trauma, I have spent many years studying how attachment styles can shift with loss and trauma.

I have seen how healthy relationships can lead to secure attachment and how insecure attachment can create turmoil in our lives. I aim to guide you toward cultivating healthy relationships with yourself, your children, your co-parent, and your romantic partner.

I can help you develop new attachment strategies that will allow you to form deeper connections and bonds with those around you. And, if you have children, I can also assist you in establishing secure attachments with both parents, which can be especially helpful in cases of separation or divorce.

I am originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, where I completed my Bachelor of Science in Psychology at The University of Utah. From there, I moved to New York City, earning my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University. I then pursued my Doctorate in Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong. I lived and worked in Hong Kong as a practicing Clinical Psychologist from 2010-2020. I reside in California and am pursuing my Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) at California Southern University. My training and qualifications include certifications in Brainspotting and High Conflict Coaching.

These tools, combined with my extensive knowledge and experience in the field, enable me to offer you the guidance and support you need to recover from past traumas and build healthy relationships.

My approach to therapy is empathetic, supportive, and tailored to your unique needs. Every person can grow, and thrive. I am committed to helping you achieve your goals. So, whether you are struggling with relationship issues, divorce, abuse, attachment traumas, or other challenges, I am here to help you find the peace and comfort you deserve.

Email me at info@doctormonicaborschel.com or call the MindnLife Clinic at 852 2521 4668