Love Yourself

All your life, you’ve been told you’re not enough; pretty enough, smart enough, talented enough. 

People have convinced you that your very existence is not enough. You mosey around in society, always comparing yourself to people around you, wishing you had this career or that unique feature. If no one has ever told you, YOU ARE ENOUGH. Yes, I’m talking to you. Every scar, every bruise, the talents you’re proud of, the career you’ve chosen that makes you happy is enough. This doesn’t mean that you are not allowed to want more. 

There is always room to grow and goals to reach, but it’s important to appreciate yourself right where you are today. It’s ok to love all the things others may not love about you. Your individuality is what makes you unique and what makes you, you. If you find you are having trouble loving yourself, here are a few ways to change that:

1. Daily affirmations: when you first wake up in the morning, what are your thoughts? Your mindset has everything to do with how you feel about yourself and how your day can go. If you wake up with negative thoughts and energy, your day is likely to go that way. Instead, wake up and say, “I’m going to have a good day today.” “I am beautiful” “I will embrace my uniqueness.” You can also write them down on your mirror and read them aloud as you’re getting ready for the day.
2. You have to know that you are the most important person in the world. It’s not cocky or arrogant to think this about yourself. Know this, and your actions will reflect this. No matter if you are married, have children, without you loving and knowing how important YOU are, no one else will.
3. Embrace the things you don’t like about yourself. You don’t like the way you look. What is it specifically? Are you overweight/underweight? Is it the freckles on your face or the shape of your eyes? What can you do to change how you look to be happy at whom you see in the mirror? Maybe it’s something you can’t change. Learn how to embrace that because I can guarantee you that someone would love to trade places with you.
4. Avoid trying to be perfect. It’s true, NOONE is perfect. Some people have trouble excepting anything less than perfection for themselves. If everyday tasks cause self-doubt, change your focus on the final product and take it one thing at a time. Although something may not seem perfect to you, it may be for the next person. Do your best. That in itself is perfection.
5. Kiss your past goodbye- You’ve failed at many things. You’re not where you want to be. You’re not whom you think you should be with. You don’t have the career you think you should have. Unless it’s harmful in some way, accept it. This is not to say don’t work on changing it if you’re not happy but embrace it. Find ways to love it or, at a minimum, like it.  

Be present.  Don’t compare yourselves to others. Don’t be afraid to say no. Accept that you’re not for everyone. Embrace your emotions.  Don’t let self-doubt keep you from moving forward. Be honest with yourself.  Have fun.  These are all ways and many more ways to love yourself.  We all get down on ourselves at time. It’s very typical, and there will be those times we feel like we’re not good enough.  It’s ok to feel this way, but don’t live there. Try your best to snap out of it and know that you are enough.