6 Poems About Self Love That Will Speak to Your Soul (2024)

In a world that incessantly demands us to fit into pre-determined molds, the practice of self-love becomes an act of rebellion and self-preservation. It is a journey of recognizing and embracing one’s worth independent of external validation. The following compilation of heartfelt poems peels back the layers of societal expectations to reveal the core of individual beauty. Let these poems about self-love resonate with your soul, affirm your self-worth, and inspire a deeper connection with the self.

As I Began to Love Myself by Charlie Chaplin

As I began to love myself

I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.

Today, I know, this is Authenticity.

As I began to love myself

I understood how much it can offend somebody

As I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right, and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me.

Today I call this Respect.

As I began to love myself

I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.

Today I call this Maturity.

As I began to love myself

I understood that at any circ*mstance,

I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment.

So I could be calm.

Today I call this Self-Confidence.

As I began to love myself

I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.

Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness,

Things I love to do and that make my heart cheer,

And I do them in my own way, and in my own rhythm.

Today I call this Simplicity.

As I began to love myself

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I freed myself of anything that is not good for my health – food, people, things, situations,

And everything that drew me down, and away from myself.

At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.

Today I know it is Love of Oneself.

As I began to love myself

I quit trying to always be right, and ever since

I was wrong less of the time.

Today I discovered that is Modesty.

As I began to love myself, I refused to go on living in the past, and worrying about the future.

Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening.

Today I live each day, day by day,

and I call it Fulfilment.

As I began to love myself

I recognized that my mind can disturb me, and it can make me sick.

But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally.

Today I call this connection Wisdom of the Heart.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others.

Even stars collide, and out of their crashing, new worlds are born.

Today I know: This is Life!

Charlie Chaplin‘s poem “As I Began to Love Myself” encapsulates a life philosophy that embraces the present, values the self, and acknowledges the importance of understanding our own needs and aspirations.

The imagery of colliding stars giving birth to new worlds symbolizes the transformative power of self-love, illustrating how it can create profound inner growth when we bravely confront and embrace ourselves.

My Darlingby Nikita Gill

You are not small.
You are not unworthy.
You are not insignificant.
The universe wove you from a constellation,
just so atom, every fibre in you comes from
a different star.
Together, you are bound by stardust , altogether
spectacularly created by the energy of the
universe itself.
And that, my darling,
is the poetry of physics,
the poetry of you.

Nikita Gill’s poem “My Darling” speaks to the importance of self-worth, overcoming self-doubt, and acknowledging our cosmic significance.

The poem reminds us that each of us is intricately connected to the universe, made up of elements born from the stars. It reassures us that we are not insignificant, but rather, we are part of a larger tapestry of life.

The poem encourages us to recognize and celebrate our inherent value, even in a world that may not always appreciate our individual beauty.

Phenomenal Womanby Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

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Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman” is an anthem of female empowerment that has resonated with generations. It is a celebration of the unapologetic self-assurance that comes from embracing one’s own uniqueness and individuality.

Rather than relying on external standards of beauty and success, Angelou’s poem turns inward, finding strength in the natural rhythm and depth of her presence.

It’s a testament to the magnetic confidence that exudes from a woman who knows her worth, one who does not conform to society’s narrow definitions of beauty.

This poem, through its cadences and vivid imagery, doesn’t just define what it means to be a phenomenal woman; it invites every woman to recognize and honor the phenomenon within herself.

I Am Complete Simply Because I Am Imperfect by Rupi Kaur

we think we are lost
while our fuller
found and complete selves
are somewhere in the future
we get on our hands and knees
thinking self-improvement will
help us reach them
but this finding ourselves bullsh*t
is never going to end
i’m tired of putting off living until
i have more information on who i am
i’m a new person every month
always becoming and unbecoming
only to become again
our fuller selves are not off in the future
they’re right here
in the only moment that exists
i don’t need fixing
i will be searching for answers my whole life
not because i’m a half-formed thing
but because i’m brilliant enough to keep growing
everything necessary to live a vivid life
already exists in me

Rupi Kaur‘s poem points out that the pursuit of perfection is a myth that makes it impossible for us to appreciate our current selves. Her words encourage embracing the fullness of life now, not in some distant, idealized future.

This concept fosters a sense of completeness in imperfection, acknowledging that we already possess everything we need to live a fulfilling life.

The poem’s raw honesty captures the exhaustion tied to self-improvement culture and turns it into an affirmation of self-acceptance and the constant evolution of the human spirit.

Be Yourself by Ellen Bailey

This is a simple poem written in simple, conversational language that anyone of any age could relate to:

Why would you want to be someone else
When you could be better by being yourself
Why pretend to be someone you are not
When you have something they haven’t got

Cheating yourself of the life you have to live
Deprives others of that only which you can give
You have much more to offer by being just you
Than walking around in someone else’s shoes

Trying to live the life of another is a mistake
It is a masquerade; nothing more than a fake
Be yourself and let your qualities show through
Others will love you more for being just you

Remember that God loves you just as you are
To Him you are already a bright shining star
Family and friends will love you more too
If you spent more time practicing just being you

Ellen Bailey’s “Be Yourself” is a poignant reminder of the authenticity that lies in embracing our true selves. With clarity and simplicity, Bailey delivers a powerful message that resonates with universal appeal — the idea that our greatest gift to the world is our individuality.

The poem is an invitation to shed the masks we often wear and to honor our originality with pride. Our personal uniqueness is not a flaw, but rather a treasure to be valued and shared.

I Love Being Me by Gemma Hayton

I can’t run the fastest
I can’t swim the sea
I can’t type the quickest
but I love being me

I can’t kick a ball
or even climb a tree
I can’t roll in the grass
but I still love being me

You see, this is my life
as others would see
they don’t know what it’s like
to really be me

So next time I’m about
rolling down the street
don’t think of me disabled
but someone cool to meet

Gemma Hayton challenges societal norms about ability and success. She advocates that we should value an individual on the basis of who they are, and not solely on what they can do.

It’s a compelling ode to the unique journey of life and the beauty of being content with one’s self.

Through her honest verse, Hayton inspires a celebration of personal identity, urging us to find happiness not in comparison to others, but in the essence of our being.

Concluding Thoughts on These Poems on Self Love

Poetry has the power to touch souls, transform thoughts, and shake the foundations of old beliefs, allowing self love to flutter in its wondrous depths.

May these poems on self love inspire you to cherish your unique journey through life with patience, tenderness, and acceptance.

As you continue to cultivate self-love, remember that it is an ongoing practice, a commitment that you renew with each rising sun.

As these poems champion the narrative of self-acceptance, may their words embolden you to write your own story with the pen of self love and the ink of personal truth.