Bringing an ancient theory to life in the modern world, our collection of L.O.V.E navigates through the Ancient Greek philosophy of Love itself. The first of a four-part series in the collection, is ‘Liberate'. The love represented here is known to the Greeks as Philautia, the embodiment of "self love". It was as evident to the Ancient Greeks (as it is to us now), that only once one truly loves oneself, can they authentically experience other forms of love- thus liberating one's true self through the first fundamental love, self love.
This philosophy is a journey not a destination. Throughout your life your relationships around you change, and you need to remember your relationship with yourself often does too. Here are a few practices we promote to begin, continue or develop your own journey of self love.
Self-love begins with acknowledging our inherent, individual worthiness as human beings. The first step can really be that simple. Embrace your own strengths and weaknesses consciously, to recognise that we are all imperfect beings and actually that very thing makes us each perfect.
Our internal dialogue plays a huge part in our self-perception. With consistency, we can reframe negative thoughts and beliefs about ourselves with positive self-talk and thus rewire our subconscious mind, fostering a mindset of self-love and empowerment over time.
Treat yourself with kindness, always. We are all susceptible to being self-critical or judgmental at times. Practise supporting yourself as you would a friend - becoming your own best friend is, at the end of the day, the end goal! Give yourself time and remind yourself that you are still learning and growing at any age.
Ever heard the phrase “If you want to know someone's character, look at the friends (s)he keeps”? Our environment and the people we surround ourselves with impact our self-perception and emotional well-being. Relationships built on mutual respect, trust, and kindness allows us to create a supportive network that encourages our own growth and self-expression.
This can be romanticised as bubble baths, candles and Emma Silk. But in reality it’s as simple as prioritising your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Meeting your own needs, setting healthy boundaries and engaging in activities that bring us joy (which is where the baths and silk come in!!) By prioritising self-care, we replenish our internal resources and foster a strong sense of self-worth.
To the Ancient Greeks, self love is the foundation, the fundamental and the first priority in love. From the collection of L.O.V.E Emma notes ‘The meaning of love has changed a lot for me this past year. My understanding of love and loss is different. It is much more apparent to me now that there are many different types of love.’ Love yourself the way you want to be loved by others, and Liberate yourself in our latest collection.