Exclusive: 5 ways to manifest self-love – Times of India

Our relationship with ourselves is the foundation of all our other relationships. Unless we strongly advocate self-love, there will be fights, stressful situations that we will continue to encounter in life. In these moments, we need to manifest the power of self-love and the importance of keeping ourselves and our loved ones, especially our partners happy. In an exclusive chat with ETimes Lifestyle, ontologist and relationship expert, Aashmeen Munjaal gives us a brief about how our deteriorating mental health can target our relationship with others and ourselves. Read on:

1. How important is it to discuss your mental health condition with your partner? How can you initiate such a conversation?
   People do not prioritise mental health, as much as one’s physical health or beauty. Unless you are tending to your mental and emotional nutrition, your entire being will be impacted. People are struggling with themselves, their professional and personal lives, all because they are ignoring their inner selves. That’s when people need to sit in front of a mirror and look into their eyes. Say things that make you feel happy and appreciated. Some may start crying or may feel awkward, because somewhere, deep inside, they aren’t ONE with themselves.
2. Does one’s relationship status affect our mental health?
   A person needs to have a harmonious relationship with their own selves. When you’re not ONE with yourself, your relationship with those around you will be strenuous. The people around you are only a reflection of what you are with yourself. If I’m in love with myself, they will be more chances of me being in harmony or sync with the people around me. Relationships are really tough to handle but you’re doing your best. Self-love is only about being positive, optimistic, grateful and having gratitude for yourself and for others.
3. What are the simple acts of gratitude to show yourself and your partner?
   Start by being grateful for what you have. Be grateful for your body, your room, your house. The smallest things can make you feel grateful in the best ways. Thank God for the things you have. Even the smallest things like having water to drink around you will make you feel calm, especially when you’re in a super stressful situation. You can even daily write 10 things you’re really grateful about, starting with the current day.
4. Gratitude is a certain expectation. But many say, expectations ruin relationships. Can you comment on the same?
   Expectations actually depend on your relationship with yourself. If you’re lacking money, you’ll be expecting to get more money. Or if someone isn’t understanding you, you’ll expect them to. When you think positively, you attract positive energy. I believe, the things you lack, are the things you expect from others.
5. When it comes to marriage, how often do married couples lose their spark?
   At the beginning of a relationship, we look at the good side of the person. As time passes, the negative and bad sides also come out. And then, we focus on the negative side. The focus shifts, and suddenly you are reminded of all the things your partner doesn’t do. Appreciate your partner for the good things they do. It’s often the little things that bring back the spark. Grand gestures don’t matter much in marriage, it’s the little things that matter.
6. What are some of the ways to manifest self-love?
   You can manifest anything with the help of these 5 ways. Write it down: what do you want to manifest, ask yourself. Be true to yourself and note down the exact words. Say it: Start saying things that you want to happen. The more you say it, the more you will be able to manifest your dreams. Listen: Listen to yourself or your partner. Listen to words of great positivity and happiness. See it: Visualise a life where you are very happy with yourself and your partner. When you visualise such a life, you are letting in opportunities to have that kind of life. Dream: This is the thumb rule. Dream about your expectations and what you want to manifest. Sit for 7 minutes quietly, with no distraction around and think about the life you have dreamed of, whether it’s a life of loving yourself more or dreaming about a perfect relationship with the one you love.