" You can't expect anyone to love you if you don't love yourself," I feel that the majority of us have heard this way more than once, but in all honesty no one took the time to explain to us as children on how to do that exactly. Like myself, we are taught on how to love others, but not much on how to love ourselves when there is no one around. I've spent a lot of time on this and have to say its a daily thing, its not easy and some days are horrible. It's hard as hell somedays to look in the mirror and like everything you see and not be disappointed in some ways. Being a college girl that is constantly around girls who hate and point out their flaws is hard not to look at your own. Darlin, don't ever join in during those talks, because you start to say something enough, then you may start to believe it and there is nothing about you that you should hate. I'm not perfect and neither are you, but thats okay we weren't ever suppose to be. 

Jealousy is hard to move past, social media didn't make it easier, it makes it really easy to compare yourself to others in all aspects when in all reality a lot of it is fake. Social media is a great tool, but also destroys a lot of people, so I chose to let go of a lot of it, my confidence has grown extremely and I've seen remarkable results in my thought process. Not saying you have to do it, but if its an issue, then why keep something that makes you upset? Everyday jealousy and envy is still a big thing, but thats why you have to focus on what makes you happy inside and out. Personal happiness is priceless and no one can take it away or control it, because its yours and only you can control it.

Everything gets so busy, and you almost forget about yourself, don't. You have to have a balance between you and the world, make yourself happy. Because in the dark, you are the one who has to pull yourself out and into the light, you are your most reliable resource. Unhappy people will try and ruin everything that you have built up, and you already know that, so its hard to keep rebuilding. But let me tell you that there are people in this world who don't want to dim your light, but actually make it brighter. Thats who you try to find. People who make you laugh so hard everyday that you forget about stuff that hurts you. People who care for you as a sibling and would do anything to see you smile. Wait for them. People that encourage you, who admire your flaws and corkiness. But you have to be the same back for me, thats when you have a second family. 

Please do everything that makes you happy, because the more you know yourself the more you know your worth Don't be afraid to be the odd ball. Listen to the music that no one else likes, but you do. Dance around the room when your happy, don't hold back. Pamper yourself, do atlas one thing to yourself occasionally so if thats getting your nails, eyebrows, or maybe going to the movies, or concerts. Whatever it is as long its something that makes you feel good. Then thats all that matters.

To the people who put everyone else first, stop. Take a moment. Breathe. Now, take a moment for yourself. You can take of people, and still take care of yourself. Its called a balance. Don't let people step on your morals or values, you have to be true to yourself and be able to back away sometimes and think of yourself for a second. You can't save the world, but you can save yourself and trust me no one else will do that. 

The biggest test to self love is being able to love beyond yourself, life may not be great, but you have to have the willingness to put a better tomorrow together. The confidence to do so is key, because it forces you to believe in yourself and get your ass out of the shitty situation you are in. You get what you put in, never forget that