The idea of falling in love is thrilling. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions and just the thought of someone out there being completely enamored with your existence can make most of us swoon. But how can someone truly fall in love with a person who doesn’t know how to be loved? How can they truly see the amazing person standing before them if the person standing before them is hiding?

Nothing makes me sadder than seeing a woman in a committed relationship who struggles with loving herself the way she deserves. Whether her relationship is everything she could ever hope for or something she feels trapped in, she doesn’t realize that his love is not the only love she needs in her life. Hell, she doesn’t really even need his love because the only love that matters is her love for herself.

You are the only person who will be there for you every step of the way, every day of your life.

Before you go give your heart to someone else, you first need to use it on yourself. No one can see how truly amazing you are until you do. Look inside of yourself. See your faults, your vices, your attributes, and fall in love hard. Know yourself intimately. You were given this beautiful body. You were given this heart and this mind. No one else on planet earth is like you. How freaking special is that?

Self-love is the most beautiful kind of love there is out there. Don’t push it aside or neglect it. You need to know that you deserve the absolute best in this world and that you are worthy of being loved deeply and completely; only then can you fully give yourself and your heart to someone. A healthy and thriving relationship is one where each partner is comfortable with themselves and with each other.

Falling in love is something we should look forward to. It shouldn’t be overshadowed by thoughts like “I hope he likes my freckles” and “God, my legs need some work”. Insecurities will only plague your relationship.

The love you give someone should be a love that holds nothing back.

He will love every single one of those freckles and he will stare in awe at those beautiful legs. And if he doesn’t, kick his good for nothing ass to the curb because if he can’t appreciate your beauty, then he doesn’t deserve your love.

Your Prince Charming is out there, I promise. However, you have no business looking for him until you have given yourself the love you truly deserve: a love from yourself. He can wait just a little longer and he will be glad that you will love yourself as much as he loves you. Trust me.