Do you feel guilty about practising Self-Love & Self-Care? I am a big advocate of the importance of Self-Love & Self-Care. On my travel to India a few years ago, I came across Happinez Magazine where I read a beautiful poem by Charlie Chaplin; ‘As I began to love myself’. This poem really touched my heart. I could so relate to it on my journey to self-discovery (which is, of course, a lifelong journey).

For years, I did not know what Self-Love is let alone practice it. I never knew the importance of it. My Mother didn’t know anything about it so she couldn’t teach me. When we moved into our first dream home in January 2014 and our life was finally as I always visioned it, I reflected on our life since we moved to the UK in 2008. I learnt that unless I started loving and accepting myself for who I am – my authentic self, I wouldn’t be true to my daughter, family and friends and clients. After all; I have to ‘Walk my Talk’.

Now…scroll down and read the beautiful poem; ‘As I began to love myself’ by the one and only Charlie Chaplin.

 “As I Began to Love Myself” – Self Love Poem by Charlie Chaplin

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering

are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.

Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody

As I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time

was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this

person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life,

and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.

Today I call it “MATURITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance,

I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens

at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm.

Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.

As I began to love myself I quit steeling my own time,

and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.

Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do

and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in

my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for

my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew

me down and away from myself. At first, I called this attitude

a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since

I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worry

about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where EVERYTHING

is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me

and it can make me sick. But As I connected it to my heart, my

mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this

connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems

with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing

new worlds are born. Today I know THAT IS “LIFE”!

 How do you practice Self-Love & Self-Care – feel free to share below.

If my words have helped you, a small contribution here will allow them to continue reaching the women who need them most. Also, don't forget to join me on Substack, where I share my Love Notes, a gentle pause in your week to reflect, realign, and reconnect in midlife. It’s not just another newsletter; it’s an intimate circle where I offer fresh intentions, soulful prompts, and simple but powerful shifts to inspire purposeful, creative living. Together, we’ll uncover the small but meaningful changes that help you design a life that feels beautifully your own.