The first step to getting to the point of saying, “I just want to be loved,” is to acknowledge your feelings and emotions. Your heart is crying out for attention and approval, and the way you respond will determine how much you really know about yourself. When you are trying to figure out what you’re feeling or thinking, use your common sense: don’t believe everything you’re told, and if someone tells you that you’re doing or feeling something wrong, listen to them, but then get back to your senses. If you’re not sure what you’re feeling, use your imagination. There’s no reason to get into an emotional wreck because you’re afraid that you might hurt someone or even look foolish, which is why the steps leading up to this point are so important.

In order to truly understand how to say – “I just want to be loved,” you need to feel completely comfortable expressing those feelings. You can do this by taking deep, slow breaths as you feel every single pore of your body being pulled into the rhythm of your breathing. This will help to calm down your sympathetic nervous system, which is what is causing all those “angry” or “irritable” emotions. After taking slow, deep breaths, picture the reaction you would have if you were the subject of a compliment. How would your face or body react?

If you don’t feel comfortable expressing yourself through words – use the things you love most about yourself when you think about them. When you think about them, tell yourself that you love them as often as possible, and then ask someone to notice how you look or feel when you do those things. For instance, if you’re mad at someone and you think about how beautiful they are, tell yourself that you’re not asking for much, just the way you look and feel when you do those things. Think about the connection you feel with your favorite sweater, shoes, or any other accessory that makes you uniquely you. By comparing yourself to that item, you can start to tap into that part of you that may be hidden beneath the surface of success and abundance.

The second step is to remind yourself – that you don’t have to chase after anyone else’s heart. Everyone wants love and acceptance, but in the end, it’s really up to each individual to find what’s right for him or herself. It’s amazing how quickly people fall into the trap of chasing after the “what’s wrong with me?” voice and try to change that person, instead of focusing on being happy and content with who they are. The truth is, if a person’s heart is broken, it’s perfectly okay to let him or her know that they are loved and accepted – the important thing is to let them know YOU care.

The third step is to get in touch with your feelings – When you are feeling unloved and simply want to make a change, listen to your heart. If it tells you “I just want to be loved and accepted”, listen to it. If it’s telling you “because I am unloved and unwanted” – listen to it.

Step four: When you feel like you just want to be loved and accepted – DO something about it. If it’s your career, be assertive and set up goals that make a difference in your life today. If you’re feeling less than loved at home, go out and create bonds with friends and family that foster a sense of belonging. If you just feel like crying, find yourself time to cry with someone who will listen and understand. By making a difference in your life, you will change your relationship with yourself.

When you are able to truly love yourself, others, and life in general, you will be able to find happiness in your life.