Love happens, man.

Romantic love, platonic love, familial love.

It happens.

And yeah, sometimes it sucks.

But just know that it gets better. Trust me. You're probably tired of hearing those words, but people say them because they're true.

Someone out there loves you. Someone has loved you, and someone will love you.

But self-love should always come first.

So, go look into a mirror in your spare time. I know it might be hard, and you can wait until you're ready. Speak into a recorder and then play it back maybe, or use google translate to tell it to you. However you need to, tell yourself everything you love about yourself. You may think negative thoughts, but you aren't allowed to say them to yourself.

This is to try to get you to let go of the self-deprecation and low self-esteem. To build up sleep love and high self-esteem.

And no, you're not being stuck-up or self-obsessed. By telling yourself that you are amazing, valued, respected, talented, loved, and beautiful, you are changing your mindset, not becoming bratty, egotistical, or self-centered.

You aren't. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Whether the compliments are big: "I am *preferred gender*, and I am beautiful, gorgeous, entrancing, and the best of the best." "I feel comfortable in my own skin. I am exactly where I want to be." "I have come so far in life and I will keep fighting every day and night because I am worth it."

Or small: "I got up today. It was hard, but I was brave and did my best." "My hair is brushed, and I am proud of it. It took me a while, but it looks great." "My eyes look lovely today. They are a great shade of *eye color*."

To even the tiniest bit of acknowledgment: "I am on my own path. I am continuing in life." "I lived another day." "I have made progress."

It still matters that you tell yourself what a wonderful person you are, because yes, you are worth it, and yes, you deserve the world.

Start small if you must, and work your way up. Keep going until you no longer feel the need to make a joke at your own expense to put someone at ease. Until you can laugh at yourself and have humility, but you do not light yourself on fire to keep others warm. "Others" can be family, friends, enemies, even the voices inside your head.

You are worthy of love and don't stop telling yourself that until you believe it.

~

🌼