For many years I struggled to find one thing I liked about myself. I was the girl that focused more on my flaws and mistakes rather than the great qualities and traits I possess. I strived to be like other girls because I didn't like what I saw in myself. I couldn't look in the mirror for more than five minutes without getting blinded by my insecurities. I tried to name something every morning that I liked about myself. Most of the time it was a lie. I thought self love was unimportant and irrelevant since I had other people loving me.
The magical, young age of 22 has been one of the best years of my life. I have fell in love with every aspect of myself. I fell in love with the girl who blares her music too loud in the car while screaming the lyrics at the top of her lungs. I fell in love with the girl that sits by herself at the little coffee shop down the road for hours reading. I fell in love with the girl who drinks way too much wine while watching "The Bachelor." But most of all, I fell in love with the girl who fell in love with all of her flaws and imperfections. I've grown and matured more than I thought possible in a year time span.
I think it's important to take time off from dating and find yourself. That way, when the time comes, you will be ready for the next relationship. Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have. Don't be afraid to be by yourself for a while. It can be the most rewarding and the most fun. You can have those regular binge watching "Gossip Girl" marathons while shoving pizza in your mouth without anybody judging you for it. Or you can have Taylor Swift jam sessions in those old, worn out sweatpants that you don't like nobody seeing you in.
Do more of what makes you happy. Get out and explore. Meet new people. Try new things. Enjoy the little things in life. Don't be so hard on yourself along the way. Let yourself off the hook with your flaws and your imperfections. Don't live in your mistakes. The great thing about self love is that it does not have to be earned. You are the one person that is going to be with you for the rest of your life. So, go on and love you for you.
