16 Comments
Aug 18Liked by Blessing Maraizu

I always knew having a friend that’s a writer would pay off. Look at me being mentioned in a beautiful essay🤣🤣💃🏿.

I love myself extra because of this write-up. So I guess you are right; self-love is indeed a communal project 🥹💕

Expand full comment
author

😂😂🥹❤️ i love you !

Expand full comment
Aug 18Liked by Blessing Maraizu

Perfect practical example 😂

Expand full comment
Aug 18Liked by Blessing Maraizu

Friends have the ability to love you in ways you never knew you could be loved. Here's a hack I heard from Trevor Noah (paraphrased): people (friends) see you differently. If you ever feel down, just ask a friend "what is it about me that you love?"

I think it's a beautiful thing to hear how much you matter to others sometimes.

Expand full comment
author

It is.

Expand full comment
Aug 21Liked by Blessing Maraizu

I loved the ISWIS episode on friendship. It was so wholesome and I can see how that inspired this essay. I like what you said about having “a god-like reverence” for friendship.

Expand full comment

i love this!!! and thank you for including my piece 🩷

Expand full comment
author

You’re welcome💕

Expand full comment
Aug 19Liked by Blessing Maraizu

This is very beautiful and apt. Self-love is a communal project. When I saw the title of the essay, the phrase 'it takes a village' came to mind.

The concentrated idea of Self-love portrayed is very selfish, and in fact very selfish to the person actually practising self-love 😂😂.

This essay is a wonderful reminder, that self-love is like a plant and if everyone around it isn't watering it right. It will only wither.

Expand full comment

Yes, self love is communal. I’ve learnt how to handle myself with care and love myself better because my friends have shown me genuine and undiluted love. With them, I know that there’s always love at home.

Expand full comment
author

And knowing there’s love at home in a strange way helps you to not only love yourself but also respect yourself.

Expand full comment
Aug 19Liked by Blessing Maraizu

Umm, love the value you put on friendship ❤

Expand full comment
author

It’s veryyyy important to life and living, I believe

Expand full comment
Aug 19Liked by Blessing Maraizu

I love this and agree wholeheartedly! I need to be loved in order to know how to love others and myself

Expand full comment
Aug 18Liked by Blessing Maraizu

This really made me realize the difference between the self love the internet portrays and the actual self love.

For example the internet says you should cut off people that have hurt you inorder not to be in a toxic relationship forgetting that we are all human beings and it's possible to hurt someone without realizing,if you decide to cut off everyone that hurts you there's a high possiblity that you will eventually end up alone which can cause depression so how is that self love?

I do believe in communal self love and nothing screams self love than being surrounded by your loved ones who love and accept you for who you are that alone will make you love and appreciate yourself more because If someone else can love me for who I am who am I not to love myself.

Thank you blessing this essay is really beautiful❤️.

Expand full comment
RemovedAug 18
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Aug 19Liked by Blessing Maraizu

Please 😂

Expand full comment