 If you've ever been in love, you may have gotten the idea in your head that those intense feelings of true love will last forever, but real love is more than just the initial feelings of butterflies. Love can take a lot of work, even if it's for yourself. Does this mean you can't love anyone if you don't love yourself? No. But loving yourself sure does seem to make things easier in relationships. Insecurities and harsh judgments about yourself can hurt a relationship. You may commonly look to only your partner to soothe these self-doubts and assure yourself. It could be unhealthy to rely on only them for those harsh insecurities to be tamed. Relationship expert Margaret Paul puts it into perspective by asking that people imagine their inner selves as a child. You would not be going around neighborhood trying to find somebody else to take care of your child, right? Even if your partner loves your inner child, that kid is still going to look up to you feeling a bit neglected. Comment down below what it is you're looking for in a loving partner. As always, thanks for watching!