We all desire to be loved and accepted, but it’s important to remember that you don’t need love at the cost of yourself. The single most important relationship we can have in life is with ourselves – our own self-love and acceptance should come first before anything else.

It’s easy to get caught up in seeking approval from others, trying hard to fit into a certain mold or make someone else happy. But this can lead us away from our true selves; instead of being authentic and embracing who we are, we try too hard for other people’s approval which leads us down a path of unhappiness. We end up sacrificing parts of ourselves just so that somebody will like us more or accept us into their group – when really, these things shouldn’t matter as much as they do!

When you prioritize your own needs over those around you it doesn’t mean you’re selfish; rather it means that by taking care of yourself first, everything else follows naturally — including relationships with others. When your focus is on loving yourself above all else then any external validation becomes less significant because if there isn’t any then so what? You know how great YOU think YOU are already! It also makes room for healthier relationships where both parties feel valued; when both individuals put themselves first then mutual respect has the space needed for real connection without one person feeling taken advantage off or neglected due to an imbalance in power dynamics between them two..

So take some time out today – even if its just five minutes -to practice self-care and remind yourself why no one needs love at the cost of themselves: because having a strong relationship with oneself always comes before anything (or anyone)else!