Self-Love is an Inside Job - How to Cultivate Authentic Fulfillment

Once, while working with a coaching client, I was reminded of the power of authentic self-love—and all the misconceptions about what it truly means.

My client, who gave me permission to share her story, is a very busy person with a wide circle of friends and a brilliant career. And although she's had many meaningful romantic relationships, most left her wanting more.

She sought coaching because she was feeling anxious, fearful, disappointed, and deeply alone. These feelings were beginning to affect her focus at work.

After a few coaching sessions, she arrived ready to embrace an important truth: we, alone, are responsible for our emotional life. It's a solo journey—and this realization is both empowering and perfect.

In the name of self-love, she had been doubling down on everything—daily affirmations, yoga, massage, and more. Yet she still felt empty inside.

But here's the truth: self-love doesn't come from external things you do. It's something you feel. It's an inside job.

The more you try to solely generate self-love from external pursuits, the more disappointed you may become. A spark of self-love already exists inside you, though it may be quite small if you've been busy seeking love and validation from outside yourself.

Nurturing yourself with massages and the like is deeply beneficial. However, authentic love grows from within and can never be taken away.

After this coaching session, I created my Heart Meditation. This meditation specifically focuses on increasing that spark of love that already lives inside you. I listen to it often.

You can download the meditation here https://ncdsolution.com/free-tools and listen to it whenever you feel disconnected from yourself.

P.S. Are You Feeling Adrift in the Face of a Recent Challenge?

From time to time, leaders and managers face acute challenges and need support to determine an effective plan of action. In those times, you might feel isolated or stuck, and it can feel like a fight to think clearly about what to do next.

You may not be currently working with a coach, but need help working through a right now challenge. Something acute that is holding up a project, affecting your team, or threatening the mission of your organization.

If you are not sure what to do next, please schedule a free call with me, I’d love to help you: https://ncdsolution.com/beth

*Note: If you are experiencing signs of depression, extreme stress, trauma or anxiety, please seek mental health support. Coaching is not intended as a therapeutic or medical treatment.