Not gonna lie but I’ve had my struggles with self-esteem issues in the past and not loving myself for who I am, but who hasn’t? Don’t let the lack of confidence bring you down. Yes, it takes time for one to find the strength inside of them to be able to come to terms with who they are and they should embrace but the journey to that moment is a rough one. Trust me I know, I’ve been through this and I can tell you that yes, it’s hard but you can do it, girl I know you can.

I’m not gonna give you some cliché advice to love yourself like, “embrace your craziness” or “keep pushing” or anything like that. I’m here to give you creative ways to make you love yourself. Also, you can’t really love anyone else without self-love.

1. Take selfies

Take as many selfies as you need for you to feel good about yourself. Is your outfit is popping? TAKE A PICTURE. Makeup game strong? TAKE A CRAP TON OF PICS. If you feel good about yourself, then document the days. Post a pic a day on your Instagram if that makes you feel good about yourself, who cares if people get mad that you post every day. FORGET ABOUT THEM, they ain’t relevant.

2. Don’t wear makeup

No matter how much you might be in love with makeup, it’s best to take a day off from beating that beauty blender on your face. Confidence starts with being able to be comfortable in your own skin, not being covered up with a layer of foundation and then another layer of concealer.

Now I know what comments I’m gonna get after people read this... “I don’t wear makeup to hide my ugly skin, I wear it because I like to be creative,” and I get that. That’s not what I’m saying. I do the same, I wear makeup because I enjoy putting on music in the morning and trying out a new eye look every day.

But when I choose not to wear makeup one day to class, I feel good about myself because I have enough self-love to be confident in my own skin. BUT, I’m also confident even when I wear makeup as well.

3. Wear crazy outfits

Don’t be afraid to try wearing things out of your comfort zone. Before, I NEVER liked to wear sleeveless shirts or anything off the shoulder but if you could see me now, that’s all I wear. I love how confident I have become with my body in order to wear things like this.

4. STAY HEALTHY

I’ve become the biggest gym junkie that I’ve never seen myself become before. A few years before I had never been to the gym every day but now here I am going every day. And whenever I go, I feel so good about myself. Six months ago, I started this fitness journey and I don’t plan on getting off. You don’t have to be a huge bodybuilder to go workout. And if not going to the gym, eating healthy benefits the soul as well.

5. Send that message

There’s a boy you’ve been crushing on? TEXT HIM. I know that it doesn’t seem like anything would work out but I promise you, it doesn’t hurt to try. That’s where the confidence comes from. Wanna love yourself? SEND THE MESSAGE. JUST DO IT.

I really hope this could help you with your journey of self-discovery, I know it did for me and I'm happier now than I ever have before.