“Love Yourself.” For me, this phrase has always felt like a daunting challenge. I have many things I want to do and high standards for what it means to excel. As a result, I’ve rarely experienced deep satisfaction in my life.
I recently attended a lecture by a psychiatrist. What resonated deeply with me was the doctor’s advice to recognize and accept a child’s temperament. For example, if a child doesn't want to play with friends, we should respect their autonomy. There’s no need to worry just because they don’t play with others.
The psychiatrist also said that a mother may not be “perfect,” but that she is already “complete” just as she is. I found great comfort in those words. As I practice loving my child for who they are, I’ve been surprised and delighted to find myself starting to love myself as well.
daunting - making you feel slightly frightened or worried about your ability to achieve something
resonate - If you resonate with something, it feels true or has meaning for you
easier said than done - said when something seems like a good idea but would be difficult to do
‘나 자신을 사랑하라.’ 내게 이 문구는 항상 벅찬 도전처럼 느껴졌다. 나는 하고 싶은 일도 많고 탁월함의 대한 기준도 높다. 그 결과 내 인생에서 깊은 만족을 경험한 적이 거의 없다.
최근에 한 정신과 의사의 강연을 들은 적이 있다. 아이의 기질을 인정하고 그대로 받아들여야 한다는 의사의 조언이 깊은 울림을 주었다. 예를 들어, 아이가 친구들과 놀고 싶지 않다면 아이의 자율성을 존중해야 한다는 것이었다. 아이가 다른 아이들과 놀지 않는다고 해서 걱정할 필요는 없다.
또한 정신과 의사는 엄마는 '완벽'하지 않을 수 있지만 이미 엄마 그 자체로 '완전' 하다고 말했다. 나는 그 말에 큰 위로를 받았다. 아이를 있는 그대로 사랑하는 연습을 하면서 나 자신도 조금씩 사랑하게 되는 이 과정이 매우 신기하고 행복하다.
- My parents had high standards for me. / Consumers have high standards for digital devices these days.
- I experience deep satisfaction whenever I do volunteer work. / You can experience deep satisfaction by learning something new.
- I like my daughter just as she is. / I learned to accept my husband just as he is.
A: They say we should love ourselves, but that’s easier said than done.
B: I totally agree.
A: I always criticize myself, thinking, “I’d be perfect if I just improve this one thing.”
B: That’s true. It’s common to feel dissatisfied with yourself.
A: I often think, if I could be reborn as a perfect version of myself, then I’d finally feel satisfied.
B: Everyone has thoughts like that from time to time.
