This post contains some of the best self-loathing quotes.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Self Loathing Quotes
1. “If you had a person in your life treating you the way you treat yourself, you would have gotten rid of them a long time ago…” ― Cheri Huber
2. “The way you think about yourself determines your reality. You are not being hurt by the way people think about you. Many of those people are a reflection of how you think about yourself.” ― Shannon L. Alder
3. “Why does shame and self-loathing become cruelty to the innocent?” ― Anne Rice
4. “Pain and self-loathing habitually implants its incendiary embers in the universal desire for other people to love us. What a life torn asunder by bolts of pain laced with shame teaches us is that we cannot look endlessly for other people to love us. We must delve from ourselves the ability to unreservedly love all life forms and empathize with all people. We should care for, and not judge, or be envious of other people. When we learn unconditionally to love other people, we learn to accept our own fitful humanity.” ― Kilroy J. Oldster
Related: Top +100 Journal Prompts For Mental Health [+Free PDF Printable!]
5. “Beware of that monster called ‘self-loathing’.” ― Unknown
6. “Perhaps the most liberating moment in my life was when I realized that my self-loathing was not a product of my inadequacy but, rather, a product of my thoughts.” ― Vironika Tugaleva
7. “You cannot pick up self-esteem if you are clinging to self-loathing. You cannot pick up confidence while holding on to fear. You cannot pick up love while holding on to hate.” – Bruce Van Horn
8. “Your greatest treasure hides behind your self-loathing. Love it out of hiding.” – Pamela Mills
9. “People who practice self-love rebound from adversity faster than those who wallow in self-loathing.” – Kalpna Suthar
10. “Progress does not require self-loathing. You can feel successful along the way.” – James Clear
Related: How To Start A Self Love Journey? Top 10 Powerful Ways to Love Yourself More
11. “Change comes from self-love not self-loathing.” – Lauren Fleshman
12. “Self-hate’s greatest talent is self-maintenance. It carries on a thorough, aggressive, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, often subtle campaign to keep us in its grip.” – Cheri Huber
13. “Self-hate is an addiction and a lot of self-hate is accomplished through other addictions.” – Cheri Huber
Self-Esteem Worksheets
14. “You can’t hope that self-hate is going to get tired of beating you up and go away. Like blackmail, once the extortion starts, it’s going to bleed you for everything you’ve got and then it’s going to leave you for dead. It’s not going to take your last dime and then leave; this isn’t just turning off the faucet, it’s ripping the plumbing out.” – Cheri Huber
15. “My need is rejected. Then self-hate comes in and says, “I warned you!” But then another voice that it hasn’t been possible for me to hear before says, “But you did it. That’s the important thing this time. It doesn’t matter what happened afterwards, you did it.” – Cheri Huber
16. “Because if you could have compassion for yourself in a time when you really need it, can you imagine how the self-hate system would begin to shake and crumble?” – Cheri Huber
Related: Top 39 Self Love Mantras To Practice Daily (+9 Ways To Grow In Self-Love)
17. “As long as there are those awful hidden things in you, self-hate can control your behavior. When you’re willing to let everything come into the light of day, self-hate no longer has any power over you.” – Cheri Huber
18. “Self-hate encourages you to judge, then it beats you for judging.” – Cheri Huber
19. “We have learned to believe that self-hate–that relentless onslaught of judgment, criticism, and blame–is what prevents us from being cruel, exploitative, selfish, and indulgent, and that without being constantly watched and controlled we will be hateful and harmful.” – Cheri Huber
20. “Suffering cannot be healed through self-hate. Only through compassionate acceptance can suffering be healed.” – Cheri Huber
21. “The benefit of working to see and let go of self-hate is that you cease to be afraid of yourself, and you find a greater willingness to sit down and be still with whatever is there inside you. When you stop believing the voices of self-hate, you will notice a curious thing–emptiness, a hole inside yourself. Instead of distracting yourself and trying to fill it up, if you become curious about how to sit down and be with the emptiness, it is a very wonderful thing.” – Cheri Huber
Related: Top 23 Self Love Questions (+FREE Self-Love Resources)
How to Overcome Self-Loathing?
Overcoming self-loathing can be a challenging process, but with dedication and the right strategies, it is possible to develop a healthier sense of self. Here are some scientifically-backed suggestions that may help:
1. Practice self-compassion
Treat yourself with kindness and understanding.
Recognize that everyone makes mistakes and has flaws, including yourself.
Offer yourself the same empathy and support you would give to a loved one.
2. Challenge negative thoughts
Pay attention to your self-talk and identify negative or self-deprecating thoughts.
Ask yourself if there is evidence to support these thoughts and consider more balanced and realistic alternatives.
3. Cultivate self-acceptance
Embrace your imperfections and focus on your strengths and positive qualities.
Remember that self-worth is not determined by external factors but by inherent value as a person.
4. Seek support
Consider talking to a therapist or counselor who specializes in self-esteem and self-worth issues.
They can provide guidance, support, and tools to help you navigate your emotions and develop more positive self-perception.
5. Set realistic goals
Break down larger goals into smaller, achievable steps.
Accomplishing these goals can boost your confidence and foster a sense of self-efficacy.
6. Practice self-care
Engage in activities that promote physical and mental well-being, such as exercise, healthy eating, getting enough sleep, and engaging in hobbies that bring you joy.
Taking care of yourself holistically can enhance self-esteem.
7. Challenge perfectionism
Recognize that perfection is an unrealistic standard that no one can attain.
Focus on progress and growth rather than seeking flawlessness.
8. Surround yourself with positive influences
Spend time with supportive and uplifting individuals who appreciate you for who you are.
Distance yourself from toxic relationships that reinforce negative self-perceptions.
Conclusion
Overcoming self-loathing takes time and effort.
Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.
FREE Self-Love Resources
Books
- The Gifts of Imperfection By Brené Brown
- Self-Love Workbook for Women By Megan Logan
- Self-Love Workbook for Black Women By Rachel Johnson
FREE Worksheets
- Self-Care Worksheets: Download PDF
- Self-Compassionate Statements: Download PDF
- Self-Esteem Worksheets: Download PDF
TED Talks
- Say yes to you : a guide to self-love | Lily Zhao
- Self-Love: If You Do Only One Thing, Do This! | Frankie Côté
- Self-Love, be Intentional | Caitlyn Roux
Podcasts
- Mary’s Cup of Tea Podcast: The Self-Love Podcast for Women: Mary Jelkovsky’s podcast explores the depths of feminism, body positivity, self-worth and much more.
- She’s All Fat: A podcast described as ‘radical self-love’ hosted by Sophie and April.
Instagram Accounts
