Sometimes you just need to be strong for yourself. Your family and friends aren't always going to be there to tell you what's right or wrong. They aren't always going to tell you how proud they are of you, how much they love you, how great you are. You need to be a cheerleader for yourself or at least learn to be. In my opinion, the most undervalued trait is self-confidence and self-appreciation. You need to hold strong to who you want to be, what you're good at, and who you are.

There aren't always going to be people who will affirm that you're a good person, a strong leader, a great friend, a listener, creative, anything. You need to know who you are and what you are. People often dread the question "What is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?" but this is a question you should know without a second thought. You need to know what you're good at and what you're not so that you can improve yourself and keep growing.

Stand up for yourself, be confident, be courageous, be bold, stand tall, and don't let others dampen your fire. People are only ever going to believe what you lead them to believe, so believe in yourself, your abilities, believe in you. The greatest advice I have ever been given is "fake it until it becomes real." I'm not the most confident person, the most creative person, the most compassionate person, the most anything, but as long as I keep believing that I am maybe someday I will be.

There will be times in your life that you will be challenged, but challenges are just opportunities for growth. Don't ever let the world break you. Fight back until you can't fight anymore and maybe from there you'll have someone to fight for you. Be as real as you can be, aim higher than you'd ever thought you could. Someday you'll get to a place where you can look back with minimal regrets, a whole lot of love and great deal of knowledge.

I'm not the best at being strong for myself but I'm a lot further than I was four years ago and I just keep working on it. You know that picture that you have in your head of who you should be, who you want to be? Stop telling yourself that you can't get there. Be strong for you. Some days there isn't going to be anyone else in your corner but as long as you have confidence in yourself and your own abilities it'll all work out.