If we aren’t in a committed relationship for more than a few months, we begin to question ourselves as individuals. We pinpoint every flaw that we see in ourselves to the point of self destruction. Why do we have the impression that self love and relationships go hand-in-hand? (Probably because it’s getting shoved down our throats due to social media but that's besides the point) Why is it that these ideas are now so strong in our society to the extent that if we don’t meet these expectations, we’re basically doomed for life and people think that it'll be harder to be happy? I am here to tell you that society is wrong.

I haven’t been in a committed relationship in quite some time now but I can proudly say that I am the happiest I have been in a long time and, surprisingly enough, it is not because of a significant other. I have learned to accept myself, flaws and all. Trust me, it has not been a smooth ride up until this point but it has been one that I have learned from and grown from in order to be a happier person.

There are always days where you feel like complete crap and see more shortcomings in yourself than you thought imaginable but you can’t help that. The only thing you can do is to have a good night’s rest and feel rejuvenated the next morning and remember that you are capable of no more or less than what you set your mind to. Improving your happiness, self-love, self confidence, self esteem, and self-worth need to be your biggest projects and they only require one mind: your own. I am incredibly excited that I have come to this realization sooner rather than later and I hope that you, too, love yourself enough first before you bring someone else into the equation.

I promise you that the moment you begin loving yourself more, you’ll notice things that you’ve never observed before. You’ll almost instantly have a more positive outlook on life without actually changing anything about yourself but your mindset! With loving yourself comes the willingness to go out of your comfort zone more often, taking better care of yourself, seeing the glass as half full, and just strutting your stuff anywhere and everywhere you go.

The great thing about loving yourself is that it includes being selfish at times where you need to be. You do more things for yourself like treating yourself to better food or new clothes or new shoes. It is important to learn and sincerely understand how imperative it is to be there for yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally before allowing yourself to do those things for someone else. I’m not saying that you can’t do that while you’re in a relationship with someone but it takes some time to have a good balance of it. Loving yourself is so necessary in order to even know what kind of love you deserve in a relationship.

So, if you’re in a relationship and humbly love yourself then we are all so proud and happy for you. If you’re not in a relationship but genuinely love yourself, you better treat yourself to your guilty pleasure of food tonight.

And if you are or are not in a relationship and don’t love yourself enough today, here’s to loving yourself a little bit more tomorrow.