To Those Who Struggle with Self-Hate

To every fighter,

So, maybe it was a rough week, rough day, rough hour or even a rough minute. Maybe you heard those voices that say that you aren't worth it or that you aren't good enough or that no one likes you or that you don't deserve to have love in any form. What's worse is that you are believing the lies that are spoken to you. I know they don't feel like lies. They never feel like lies. It feels like the honest truth. I would say it's okay, but I don't know if it is. It's not okay to believe these horrible things about yourself because none of the above is true. I hope one day you can believe it.

I want you to take a quick second and think. Think about why you should believe these things that are told to you or maybe the things that you tell yourself. My guess is that you've come up with a thousand and one reasons why. I know I would have an infinite amount of reasons why I suck at being a person. Now, I want you to think...I mean really think about why you are the exact opposite of all those things. That's a little harder. Let me give you some help on this one. You were made in such a way that thinking that you aren't lovable is completely crazy. You have this vibe about you that allows you to be an incredibly likable human being. It is so natural that I wish I could have it. You are worth everything to someone. There is a task on this Earth that only you and you alone could ever complete. You might not ever be good enough for some people, but you are more than good enough for the people that matter.

You are worthy of love. I don't know how else to say it. I know, trust me, I know what it's like to hate yourself and to not believe the multitude of good things that people will tell you but believe the one bad thing that your brain said. I know what it's like to be stuck in this horrible cycle of self-loathing. And I still slip into that, but I know that I deserve to love myself and I deserve to allow other to love me. Just because you are flawed and imperfect does not mean that you shouldn't be loved. It means the exact opposite.

I hope that one day all of you will find a way to love yourselves. Because you are worthy of love. I pray that one day that even when all these lies are being thrown your way, you will be so grounded in truth, they'll barely touch you. And I honestly believe that one day, the voice that whispers nothing but hate will be replaced by a voice that screams love. There will be a day where you will be able to see all the people that genuinely, genuinely care about you. Just keep hoping and whatever you do, do not stop fighting.

Love,

A fellow fighter