I am very open about my battle with anxiety and depression, which has affected me for the last eight years.
When I first met my current boyfriend, Justin, I was at an all time low with my self esteem. I definitely did not even like myself at the time. After we started dating, my mom and I were having a conversation, and she said something like, "You can't expect yourself to love someone else fully until you learn how to love yourself."
Well, a combination of therapy, meds, the unconditional love I was receiving while I was trying to fix myself and making mental lists every morning got me to the point where I am today.
Every morning, I wake up and try to come up with a mental note of 10 things I'm thankful for, before even getting out of bed!
Especially after writing my last article, I've gotten around to thinking about some of the things I have to be thankful for. I really hope you all can agree with one or more of these statements!
It's 7 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, and I haven't even gotten out of bed yet. In fact, I am writing this all from my phone. Here it goes:
1. I'm thankful that God has given me another day to live.
Now, I'm not saying I'm terminally ill or anything, but life is such a precious gift given to us by our creator. We were all created for a purpose, and I believe that every person is destined for greatness in this life, one way or another. It’s just up to you as to whether you decide to live up to your full potential or not.
2. I'm thankful for the warmth of my bed as I wake up this morning.
But ... unfortunately because of how comfortable I am, it makes it harder for me to want to get up!
3. I'm thankful for the fact that I can go to college.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to be qualified for the job of my dreams in a year.
4. I'm thankful for the unconditional love I receive from my parents.
I know we don't always see eye to eye, but I understand that you only want the best for me. I know that you aren't always going to agree with or even like some of the decisions I make in life, but I'm grateful for the fact that it won't make you love me less.
5. I'm thankful for the friends I have.
Friends are important! I don't think you necessarily need to be friends with everyone in the world, but I think it's important to have at least one or two people you can call best friends, and then after that, other good friends are important too! (For those who know me, you know who you are!)
6. I'm thankful for my job.
This summer, I'm working at the college I go to. I'm working in the office of event services, and I know that it's getting me even more qualified for my dream job as an event planner. Between this and my education, I know I'll be ready to take on the world in about a year ... watch out world!
7. I'm thankful for my sisters.
Alice, Sylvia and Vivian, you three are three of the most important people in my life. You are all some of the most beautiful girls in the world, and I can't wait to see you all succeed! I know sometimes we can all be pains in each other's butts (as all siblings do), but never even doubt your importance to me.
8. I'm thankful for my health.
I know I'm a little overweight, but besides that, I'm finally physically, emotionally and mentally healthy. I'm finally taking the initiative to get healthy (good dieting and exercise!), and I think my mental health has finally leveled out.
9. I'm thankful for the fact that even though I don't have a lot of money right now, I can still afford to feed myself.
It makes me sad to think of how many other people in the world go to bed hungry every night. I'm grateful not only for the fact I can feed myself, but I'm also thankful for the fact that I can afford to buy healthy food.
10. Last, but certainly not least, I'm thankful for my amazing boyfriend, Justin.
Thank you for being the only one to have ever stuck around to help me through my personal issues. Thank you for not judging me on my past, being my present and wanting to be my future. I really don't know how I went 20 years of my life not knowing you, because you are truly the best thing that's ever happened to me. I couldn't imagine life without a partner as wonderful as you, and I'm so lucky to be in love with my best friend. Sorry for the Internet PDA, but sometimes I get worried I don't express this enough. I love you!
Well, now that I've gotten through this part of my day, it's time to go out and be a light in the world today.
Don't forget to "live powerfully, authentically and unapologetically" today. It's the best life advice I have ever gotten, and it's advice that I will heed for the rest of my life.
Go out and make it a great day, folks.
