20 Famous Self Love Poems
Self love forms the cornerstone of personal growth, resilience, and happiness. Throughout history, esteemed poets have masterfully captured the essence of self-love in their verses, providing inspiration and encouragement to readers across the globe through their self-love poems.
This collection includes some of my favorite poems from celebrated authors. These verses remind us of the vital need to cherish ourselves, recognize our worth, and cultivate a profound love from within.
These poems are words of encouragement that celebrate the love you hold for yourself—the most significant relationship you will ever have.
You are the only one who has a unique mark to leave on the world!
Now, you must be asking what these self-esteem poems have to do with my wellness.
Quite simply… everything. When you find yourself caught in a cycle that lacks self-care, your subconscious starts to learn that others are always prioritized over you. This can lead to negative self-talk, feelings of guilt, or low self-confidence, creating a vicious cycle.
The first step in taking care of yourself is learning to love yourself. It’s about reminding yourself just how incredibly amazing you are!
Incorporating positive affirmations into your daily routine is an excellent way to remind your mind of your inherent worth and to retrain your thoughts to reflect that.
Check out this thoughtfully curated poetry collection that focuses on self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-love. These are short poems by famous poets on a common theme, so they won’t take much of your time.
I hope these poems inspire you to embrace all the wonderful aspects of who you are.
Just as a lover sees you as perfection, I hope you will begin viewing yourself similarly.
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20 Famous Self Love Poems For Self-Worth and Self-Esteem
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1. “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou
This poem is an absolute celebration of the inner power and beauty that every woman possesses.
She tries to convey us that self confidence comes not by fitting into societal expectations but by embracing our true selves.
Urging us to find the phenomenal woman within and to celebrate her every day. Read full poem here.
“Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
by Maya Angelou
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.”
2. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
“Still I Rise” is a powerful poem about overcoming adversity with confidence and grace.
Angelou’s words resonate with themes of resilience and an unbreakable spirit. Read full poem here.
“You may write me down in history
by Maya Angelou
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise…..
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise…..“
Books you should read available on Amazon.
3. “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese” speaks of the grace found in self-acceptance and the peace that comes from embracing our true nature. Read full poem here.
“You do not have to be good.
by Mary Oliver
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile, the world goes on…”
4. “The Guest House” by Rumi
This timeless poem by Rumi, often cited as one of the most beautiful poems about accepting every emotion, teaches the importance of welcoming all experiences as part of life’s journey. Read full poem here.
“This being human is a guest house.
by Rumi
Every morning, a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor…”
5. “Ego Tripping (There May Be a Reason Why)” by Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni celebrates the power of self-awareness and pride in one’s heritage in this empowering poem.
“I was born in the Congo
by Nikki Giovanni
I walked to the Fertile Crescent and built the Sphinx
I designed a pyramid so tough that a star
that only glows every one hundred years falls
into the center giving divine perfect light…”
6. “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman
Gorman’s poem, delivered at the 2021 U.S. presidential inauguration, encapsulates hope, resilience, and the belief in oneself to make a difference.
“When day comes we ask ourselves,
by Amanda Gorman
where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
The loss we carry, a sea we must wade…”
7. “To Myself” by W.S. Merwin
A contemplative piece about rediscovering one’s self, Merwin’s poem reminds us to stay connected with our inner being.
“Even when I forget you
by W.S. Merwin
I go on looking for you
I believe I would
know you…”
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8. “If” by Rudyard Kipling
This classic poem offers timeless wisdom on self-respect, patience, and personal integrity. In this poem, he advises his son to move through life with composure, and to always exercise self-control, integrity, and humility.
“If you can keep your head when all about you
by Rudyard Kipling
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too…”
9. “Remember” by Joy Harjo
Harjo’s “Remember” is a poetic call to honor one’s roots and maintain a deep connection with the natural world.
“Remember the sky that you were born under,
Joy Harjo
know each of the star’s stories.
Remember the moon, know who she is.
Remember the sun’s birth at dawn, that is the
strongest point of time…”
10. “A Blessing” by James Wright
This poem captures the beauty of finding peace within oneself through connection with nature.
“Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
by James Wright
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness…”
11. “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann
A classic piece on living a life of peace and self-acceptance, “Desiderata” offers gentle advice on embracing oneself and the world.
“Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
by Max Ehrmann
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons…”
12. “A Litany for Survival” by Audre Lorde
Lorde’s poem is a call to embrace one’s fears and live boldly, making it a vital addition to any discussion on self-worth.
“For those of us who live at the shoreline
by Audre Lorde
standing upon the constant edges of decision
crucial and alone
for those of us who cannot indulge…”
13. “The Journey” by Mary Oliver
Oliver’s “The Journey” emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s inner voice and following a personal path.
“One day you finally knew
by Mary Oliver
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice…”
14. “Self-Portrait” by David Whyte
Whyte’s poem speaks to the courage of being vulnerable and true to oneself.
“It doesn’t interest me if there is one God
by David Whyte
or many gods.
I want to know if you belong or feel abandoned…”
15. “The Sun Rising” by John Donne
A classic love poem that can be read as a metaphor for the self’s power to shine against all odds.
“Busy old fool, unruly Sun,
by John Donne
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains, call on us?”
16. “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” by Emily Dickinson
Dickinson’s famous poem uses the metaphor of a bird to symbolize hope’s resilience and persistence.
“Hope is the thing with feathers
by Emily Dickinson
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all…”
Interesting Reads For You:
- Beat Procrastination: 5 Simple Tips For Success
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- 10 Self Care Practices For Women Mastering Mental Strength
17. “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman
Whitman’s celebratory verse from “Leaves of Grass” embraces the joy of individualism and the connection between all humans.
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
by Walt Whitman
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you…”
18. “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein
A whimsical yet profound poem that invites readers to step outside their comfort zones and explore new worlds.
“There is a place where the sidewalk ends
by Shel Silverstein
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright…”
19. “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost
A brief but thought-provoking poem that explores human emotions and choices, resonating with the idea of personal accountability.
“Some say the world will end in fire,
by Robert Frost
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire…”
20. “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur
This modern poem explores themes of love, loss, healing, and the empowerment found in self-love.
“I want to apologize to all the women
–Rupi Kaur
i have called pretty
before i’ve called them intelligent or brave
I am sorry I made it sound as though
something as simple as what you’re born with
is the most you have to be proud of
when your spirit has crushed mountains
from now on, I will say things like
you are resilient, or you are extraordinary
not because i don’t think you’re pretty
but because you are so much more than that”
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The whole world is chasing after things that are uncertain throughout our lives, and in the process, we lose our true self.
Sometimes, we just need to analyze our state of mind, rediscover our self-worth, regain our inner strength, and regain our peace of mind.
I agree that we don’t have much time for ourselves, but to practice self-love, you don’t need a secret place. You can just be mindful of it in your living room.
Remember, it’s a process that cannot be achieved in a single day, so the best way is to assign “me time” every day.
I hope you enjoyed the list themed on self love poems. I will see you here again next time.
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