I spent so many years of my life trying to please others, trying to fit in, trying to feel wanted. What I’ve come to realize is, I don’t need anybody to “want” me, but I need to want myself.

I spent so much time chasing people, hoping that maybe, just maybe, they would want to be a part of my life. I had this false perception that they would make my life better when in reality I am the only one who can make my life better.

I have made a decision to stop chasing people. If you want to be part of my life, great. But if you don’t, I really don’t care. I am not going to beg for you to be present in my life because I deserve so much more than that. Begging will only do me more harm and to be honest, the only person that I need to be present in my life is myself. I will surround myself with people who love and support me. I will surround myself with people who bring out the best in me.

I’m not saying that I don’t like people. In fact, I love people. I have always wanted to help people, and I think I would define myself as a people pleaser. If you come into my life, I will love you unconditionally.

But you see, I think there’s a problem about people pleasing… you please others without even thinking about yourself. You please others before you even feel wanted by yourself and this simply isn’t healthy.

There’s something so powerful about not feeling the need to be wanted, but rather wanting yourself. No matter how many people come in and out of your life, you always have yourself. You have yourself to lean on and you have yourself to fall in love with. So why would you not want you – the person that’s always there for you? It’s not about being overly confident in yourself. But, it’s about recognizing your flaws and still loving yourself anyways. It’s about working to better yourself. It’s about becoming a person that you can fall even more in love with every day.

Because, why would you expect someone to want you when you don’t even want yourself? Why would you expect someone to love you when you don’t even love yourself?

I know getting validation from another person feels so good and I know being in love with someone else feels amazing, but maybe right now isn’t the right time.

And even if you’re in a relationship, I pray that you love yourself. Please still take time for yourself and please still practice self-care – it’s so important.

My life is so young and I am in complete control. This is my time. This is my time to live for myself.