Open Journal

June 22nd, 2025

This morning, I stepped out the door at 5:30 a.m. for a walk. The air was thick with humidity and the heat was already rising. Yet, every now and then, a gentle breeze would sweep through, cooling me off just enough to keep going.

I don’t know why but something about today’s walk felt different.

I was fully present. My mind wasn’t drifting into the past or racing into the future. I was just there . Taking in the view of the sun slowly rising, its rays touching my skin like soft embrace.

And then, out of nowhere, a thought surfaced:
“I don’t need you to love me, because I love myself.”

Two steps later, I looked down and saw a small bark heart lying on the path. Right there, in that moment, something clicked.

We always hear the phrase: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” And it’s true. But when we hear something too often, we stop really hearing it. The meaning fades into the background.

When it comes to love — real, unconditional love, can’t come from a place of lack.

If we don’t love ourselves, we’ll always be searching for someone else to fill that void. We’ll crave love from others like a starving person craves food. And when we’re that hungry, we’ll take whatever we can get, even when it’s not good for us.

But when our own cup is full, when we’ve nourished ourselves with love and care, something powerful happens: we stop needing love and start giving it freely.

Loving yourself doesn’t look the same for everyone. It’s not a formula, it’s something you will just have to discover what it means for you.

And when your belly is full, when your heart is fed, you’ll find yourself sharing love, not chasing it.