Scholar-Journalist of the Week: Learn to love yourself

“Even if you fail, it doesn’t mean you will continue to fail,” these were the motivating words of Muskaan Kohli, a second year MBA student with Apeejay Institute of Management and Engineering Technical Campus (AIMETC). For Muskaan, the first step to success is when one starts believing in oneself. “Life is short and everyone has something that they are passionate about,’ emphasises the Apeejay student, who in her recent article ‘Learn to love yourself’ stressed on the importance of self-love. Read edited excerpts of the interview to know more: 

You mentioned in your article ‘Self-love is the purest kind of love’. Why so?

I believe in self-love. No matter what the world and people throw at me, I will be able to overcome anything by believing in, and loving myself. One of the most powerful forms of self-healing has been to open my heart and let my whole self be accepted. Self-love could cure much of the hatred in the world.

Share tips to love oneself 

We can love ourselves by not comparing ourselves to others. When we don’t worry about others’ opinions. When we remember our value doesn’t only lie in our physical appearance. Trust yourself to make good decisions.

What kind positive things we can share with ourselves?

Just don’t let fear hold you back. I feel the cost of not following your heart is spending the rest of your life wishing you had.

Covid has been a period during which many individuals confronted their weaknesses and failures? How did you face the COVID challenges?

COVID impacted our life in both positive and negative ways. During these challenging times, I prioritised my mental health as well as helped my closed ones to follow the same. Undoubtedly, it was a tough situation and it’s understandable that we sometimes felt low or lost, missing our loved ones. Reaching out and supporting each other was the best way for us to get through this. I kept reminding myself that this situation is temporary and shall not last forever.

What kind of activities can one incorporate in his/her daily life to enhance positivity and self-growth?

Activities like meditating, writing your thoughts in a journal, reading, and taking care of yourself are some of the things.

When you feel low sometimes, what is your dose of happiness?

Whenever I feel low, I consider buying a journal that is designated just for writing down my thoughts and feelings. Listening to music also makes me happy. Talking to friends in addition to reading inspirational books. Making calligraphy also makes me happy and keeps me motivated.

Do you think individuals must hook onto materialistic things for happiness? Why?

According to me, if material things are your primary focus then you will find yourself with unhappiness . It certainly feels good to make a desired purchase , but there is much more to happiness than what money can buy . Happiness cannot be bought from money. As I work on finding my happiness through my experiences in life, I’ve realised that valuing the life I live lets me gain a greater appreciation for the little things. From talking and spending time with friends and family, to enjoying my hobbies, trying to be less materialistic has made me more conscious of how I don’t need material possessions to stay happy. I love getting new things and buying items that I want just as much as anyone else, but I’ve realised it’s not necessary for living a life that I am content with.