I like to think that I am a good person, that I have a warm heart and good intentions.

I like to think that I am a good friend, that I am loyal and trustworthy. I am always the one to encourage and lift people up from their deep pits. I am always, no matter what, there for those who need me.

I try to make people laugh and make sure that everyone sees themselves as the beautiful humans that I see.

But why am I so hard on myself? Why do I let myself sink into holes that take days to climb my way out of? Why do I look in the mirror and only see flaws? Why do I talk so rudely about myself in my head? Why can I not be the same sunshiny person that I am to others, to myself?

A lot of people in this world, including me, struggle with depression and anxiety. I am thankful that it is not as bad as some cases out there, but it still puts me in funks sometimes. I, like most people, have self-image issues. Too fat here, too big there, not enough everywhere. I have also made some not-so-awesome decisions in this life that haunt me when I lay my head down to sleep.

But why is it that I am so warm and bubbly to the people around me, yet so harsh to myself?

I think that in this world, we are plagued with incredibly large standards and responsibilities that society holds us to. We are constantly trying to figure out how to be fit and smart and fun and sociable and healthy and in love and pretty and successful, so much so that it makes the voice in our head turn against us.

You know what I am talking about, that voice in your head that says, ‘no don’t eat that, you will gain weight’ and ‘why would he like you’ and ‘stop you are being annoying. The voice that keep a running tally of all the things you screwed up.

She’s a complete and total bitch.

Yesterday, I decided to force that little voice out and replace it with the same upbeat one that everyone else hears. I spent the whole day without having a care in the world and it was eye-opening. There is no reason that we need to be so damn harsh on ourselves. Why can we not be a little selfish and spread some of that sunshine inward, onto ourselves. All day long I was content with everything. I felt lighter, more energized, and just plain ‘ole happy.

A lot of people talk about self-care and self-image and I know it is cliché, but we must start giving ourselves some slack and realize that we deserve the same love that everyone else gets from us. It is as simple as that.

Yes, there will be some bad days, some days where the bitch comes back, some days where nothing goes right. We all have those days. But sometimes even the sun needs a break and hides behind the clouds. But it never stops warming and it always comes back.

So, pick up that chin of yours, slap the bitch-voice in the face, and go have a great day. Spread the cheer and keep some for yourself. You deserve it.