Initially I was going to write an entirely different blog post. A post about me feeling horrible, sad, unworthy of love and ashamed of my body. A feeling that started after viewing some pictures of myself on my 25th birthday party. Last Friday I had thought that I looked gorgeous in my shiny bright blue dress but I must have been wrong. Feeling sexy must have been a mistake. I just couldn't shake the sadness and the shame and kept thinking "If this is how other people see me, why do they love me? Why does he love me?" If you too are feeling ashamed of how you look, I am here to tell you you don't have to be. You are allowed to love yourself. No matter what. That's what I realized, looking again and again at those pictures. Feeling sexy wasn't a mistake.
I look beautiful in those pictures. I am beautiful. Most of all I look happy, I am happy. And damn right I am worthy to be loved. The reason I feel so ashamed of how I look is because my body doesn't fit the "beauty standards" everyone is trying to live up to these days. But guess what? That's okay.
I am not thin. I don't have long gorgeous legs. I don't have a flat stomach. I don't have shiny long hair. No. I am a little round. And short. And my arms and legs are a bit on the bigger side. My hair is frizzy and does its own thing. And maybe I should care more for my own health. Get fitter. Eat stuff that actually has nutritional value. Yes, maybe I could lose a few pounds, sure. But does that make me ugly? NO. Does that make me unworthy of love? NO. I am who I am right now. Who I'll be in the future and what I will look like does not matter. If you don't love yourself now, then when? There will always be something you want to improve on but loving yourself should not come with conditions.
It's okay to be your own worst critic. A fair amount of self-criticism is a good thing if it's constructive criticism. Less chance of being a bitch. A narcisist. A show-off. If you really know yourself and can honestly tell what your flaws are (on the outside as well as on the inside) you can either start working towards improving on them or accepting them. Naming yourself all kinds of ugly things does not help you improve yourself. That's just bullying. And as a teacher, I can't allow bullying. Not even if you are the bully hurting yourself. I won't have it. You are worthy of your own love. Period.
If you still need a little encouragement to start loving yourself today, right now, a minute ago, ... Here are 21 reasons why you should. You can count. There really are 21, in no particular order. But I want you to focus on the reasons, not the numbers.
No explanation needed.
+ You are beautiful. Yes you! Seriously.
Cats are adorable, no matter what size and shape. Humans should be the same.
+ You are stronger than you think.
Life may throw you some serious curveballs but you don't give up. You try. And try again.
+ You care about yourself.
You wouldn't be reading this if you didn't.
+ You are talented!
Even if you're bad at a lot of things, you are good at some. I know you are. Everyone has their own talents! So tell me, what are yours?
+ You are for the rest of your life.
Friends will come and go but you will always be here. So it's time to start working on that relationship.
+ You'll always have your best friend around.
When you love yourself you'll have 24/7 access to good advice and loving support. Who wouldn't want that?
+ Love attracts love.
When you love yourself others will be more likely to love you too. Simple as that.
+ Loving yourself = taking care of yourself.
You want to live a long and healthy life don't you? Then you absolutely must love yourself. Otherwise you will go crazy.
+ Your body will thank you.
You have only one body. That's for the rest of your life. Love it, take care of it.
+ Loving yourself = confidence = succes.
If you want to be successful at whatever it is you do, you'll need confidence. And confidence comes from loving yourself.
+ You won't sabotage yourself.
If you believe you are not worthy of love and succes you will find ways to sabotage yourself. But if you love yourself, you won't do that. You'll be thankful for everything you achieve.
+ Your flaws and weaknesses are there for a reason.
Ever think that maybe you are supposed to be exactly the way you are so you can improve, explore, and go on the journey you're supposed to be on?
+ You will feel so good!
Honestly, loving yourself is so relaxing. You will feel better and happier. Even when life stays exactly the same.
+ You will shine from the inside out.
Like, seriously. Loving yourself is the best skincare there is. You'll even look younger!
+ You'll look better in pictures.
Agreed, looking good in pictures is not exactly a life goal but it's a nice benefit, right? Loving yourself will make you smile. And smiles make for beautiful pictures.
+ Life really gets easier.
When you accept who you are and what you have, a burden falls from your shoulders. No more peer pressuring yourself. Life is less stressful this way.
+ You want to be the authentic you.
If you don't love yourself you will seek approval. You'll be a people pleaser. But that not's the real you is it?
+ You won't mind being alone.
Accepting and loving yourself makes it easier to be alone with your thoughts. A lot easier.
+ You will learn from your mistakes.
If you love yourself and make a mistake you won't beat yourself up. You will look at it how I look at my student's mistakes: how can we learn from this?
+ You will be able to make others feel good too.
If you're happy and accept yourself for who you are, you'll be able to do the same for others. You'll be able to love them unconditionally too. And that's what life is all about right?
So. That was the entire list. You made it down to the bottom. 21 damn good reasons to love yourself. I hope you are smiling now. I know I am while writing this. If you have any other reasons please do share them in the comments, I'd love to know! And don't forget to tell me what your talents are, I'm quite curious!
So. That was the entire list. You made it down to the bottom. 21 damn good reasons to love yourself. I hope you are smiling now. I know I am while writing this. If you have any other reasons please do share them in the comments, I'd love to know! And don't forget to tell me what your talents are, I'm quite curious!
