A couple of weeks ago, I went through a breakup. A bad one. I had dated this boy for three years and us breaking up really threw me a curveball. We had avoided each other for as long as we possibly could, but being from the same small town it was almost inevitable that we see each other. I was at a gas station and there he was. I couldn’t help but stare; he looked exactly the same and he turned away as I looked over. And I promise in that moment, I have never so badly wanted to punch someone right in the face. I was filled with rage; my blood was boiling. Instead of even giving him any reaction, I texted my Aunt to tell her about my interaction. I ended my story with “he is so lucky I’m a good person, cause anyone else would have caused a scene.” Her reply changed my life. “Who cares about him celebrate you.”

And she is absolutely right. Don’t celebrate the fact that he’s lucky you never did anything to retaliate against him and his immature ways, celebrate the fact that you are mature enough to walk away. You have to look around and celebrate all that life has to offer. You have to celebrate you.

The world celebrates you every day and you need to start to celebrate it back. It is important to watch the sunrise and celebrate it, watch the sun rise every morning encouraging you to rise too. Celebrate the smell before the rain or the calm before the storm. Celebrate the darkness before the movie you really want to see or celebrate the first sip of coffee in the morning. And in time, find someone who shows more of what life offers to you and learn to celebrate those things too.

Life is too short to not value yourself. Life is too short to be worried about other people who aren’t helping to celebrate you. Get in your car, put on your sunglasses, crank up a fun song, and do nothing but smile, sing, and drive. Sing and smile until your mouth hurts, and then smile some more. As Marilyn Monroe said, “keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing, and there’s so much to smile about.” Celebrate you. Don’t celebrate him in anyway, celebrate yourself for how far you’ve come. Live a life you’re excited to be living, and if you find that you’re not, then try to find the strength to start over.