Learning to Love Yourself First

Welcome! I’m so glad you decided to drop in for this installment of my self-care journey. If you’re new here, let me officially welcome you to this safe space—a space where we’re all learning to love ourselves in healthier, more intentional ways.

This week on The Black Women Deserve Podcast, I sat down with Venus Washington. We dove into the messy, beautiful work of building a relationship with yourself. Venus shared her journey of moving from external validation to internal fulfillment, and y’all, it struck a chord.

So often, we’re taught that self-care is about bubble baths and spa days. But as Venus reminded me, true self-care goes deeper. It’s about creating a life where you feel seen, heard, and valued—starting with yourself. It’s about slowing down, tuning in, and asking the hard questions: What do I need? What do I want? How can I show up for me?

For me, that journey started with learning to be alone without feeling lonely. For so long, I sought validation outside of myself. I poured into others hoping they’d pour back into me, only to realize that I was giving from an empty cup. It wasn’t until I started taking myself on solo dates—every Friday, no matter what—that I began to see myself differently.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t easy work. Showing up for yourself takes consistency and a lot of grace. But the more you do it, the more you realize that nobody can treat you better than you treat yourself. And when you set that standard, it’s a game-changer.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to listen to my conversation with Venus. She shares so much wisdom about creating safe spaces, finding joy in movement, and learning to honor your body and mind. It’s an episode that will challenge you, empower you, and maybe even inspire you to take yourself out on a date this week.

Check out the podcast, and if you’re ready to go deeper, stick around for the blog. Let’s keep building this journey together because you deserve the love you give so freely to others.

xoxo,

The Croptop Cutie