Loving yourself is a daily practice, not a lofty goal.
Self-love isn’t an abstract or sentimental idea that feels out of reach; it’s something you can cultivate through small, intentional actions. I recently read Kamal Ravikant’s Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It, which provides a practical, step-by-step system anyone can follow to develop genuine self-love. His approach is refreshingly simple yet deeply impactful, rooted in personal experience, and designed to help you transform how you feel about yourself.
In this article, I’ll guide you through the core elements of his system, empowering you to love yourself with confidence and consistency. By doing so, you’ll lay the foundation for manifesting the dream relationship you desire and deserve.
At the heart of Kamal’s message is the belief that self-love begins with a conscious decision.
For him, this decision marked a pivotal moment in his life. Facing deep emotional and physical pain, he found himself at rock bottom, overwhelmed by feelings of failure and despair.
That’s when he made a life-altering vow: to love himself, no matter what. This decision wasn’t about pursuing perfection or seeking approval from others. Instead, it was an internal commitment to treat himself with the same compassion and kindness he would offer a loved one. Kamal emphasises that self-love doesn’t happen passively or by chance; it’s a deliberate choice we must make, especially during the most challenging times. In those moments of difficulty, this decision becomes even more crucial.
By choosing self-love, you initiate a profound shift in how you relate to yourself, transforming self-criticism into self-compassion. Everything else flows from this foundational choice. This commitment acts as a cornerstone — something you can lean on as you navigate life’s challenges.
Each time you reaffirm it, you strengthen your relationship with yourself.
Self-love isn’t something you cultivate just once; it requires daily reinforcement to truly take root.
To rewire his mind toward self-love, Kamal adopted a simple yet powerful technique: repeatedly saying the phrase “I love myself.” Whether silently, aloud, or even written down, this affirmation became a constant mental loop for him throughout the day.
Repetition is an incredibly effective psychological tool. Our brains are wired to respond to repeated thoughts and beliefs, so by continuously affirming “I love myself,” Kamal began to overwrite the negative, self-critical loops that had long been ingrained. Initially, the phrase may feel strange or even inauthentic, especially if loving yourself has been a challenge. However, through consistent repetition, the affirmation starts to feel more genuine and eventually becomes an embedded belief. This shift in thought patterns fosters a more compassionate, accepting inner dialogue where self-love becomes the norm.
What makes this practice so impactful is its simplicity. There’s no need for complex rituals or lengthy exercises — just a short, meaningful phrase repeated throughout the day. Kamal’s method illustrates that sometimes the most profound transformations come from the simplest actions.
Repetition truly is the key to reshaping how you view yourself.
Kamal’s system for self-love goes beyond simple repetition.
He developed a holistic practice composed of several components, each designed to deepen your connection with yourself and create lasting change. These four elements work together to help you reframe how you view and treat yourself daily.
- The Mental Loop: This involves consistently repeating the affirmation “I love myself” to counter negative thinking. Kamal refers to it as a “mental loop” because it’s a pattern of thoughts you consciously return to throughout the day. The more you engage with this loop, the more it becomes second nature, reshaping your inner dialogue. Over time, this positive reinforcement helps replace self-criticism with self-compassion.
- Meditation: Kamal’s meditation practice centres on self-love. By closing your eyes, focusing on your heart, and repeating “I love myself” as you inhale, then letting go of anything that arises on the exhale, you allow love to flow through your heart. This heart-centered meditation connects you with your deeper self, making self-love a felt experience rather than just an intellectual one.
- Mirror Work: One of the more intimate aspects of the practice is looking in the mirror and saying “I love you” to yourself staring straight into your eyes. This vulnerable exercise helps break down barriers of self-judgment. By facing yourself directly, you create an emotional connection that reinforces your self-worth.
- Asking One Question: When faced with decisions, Kamal recommends asking, “If I loved myself truly and deeply, would I let myself experience this?” or “If I loved myself truly and deeply, what would I do?” Either of these questions helps align your actions with self-love, encouraging healthier choices and boundaries.
You can incorporate these elements into your life in ways that feel natural, with each reinforcing the message that you are worthy of love. This multi-faceted practice is designed to be both simple and flexible.
Use it as a roadmap for integrating self-love into your everyday life.
Kamal Ravikant’s Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It offers a refreshing and actionable approach to self-love that sets it apart.
What I appreciated most about this book is that Kamal doesn’t merely tell us to love ourselves. He provides a clear and simple system to turn that concept into reality. Through the power of decision, repetition, and structured practice, he shows that self-love is something we can actively cultivate — even in our darkest moments.
In a world where we often prioritise achievements and the needs of others, it’s easy to overlook the most important relationship: the one we have with ourselves. Kamal’s message serves as a powerful reminder that self-love isn’t just a luxury; it’s a vital aspect of our wellbeing.
By practising self-love daily, we not only heal and strengthen ourselves, but we also invite greater joy, confidence, and clarity into all aspects of our lives.