Today we have become a society that is moving toward self-love and body positivity. We spread words of encouragement to one another saying, "It's okay if you don't have a 'bikini body' - you're wonderful the way you are." From hit songs like "Love Myself" by Hailee Steinfeld to "Confident" by Demi Lovato, women are trying to encourage each other to love themselves the way they are. As this is probably one of the best movements we have had so far, this is for those who have trouble with those words, for those that aren't 100 percent sure how to love themselves.
Here is a bit of background on myself for you. I have depression, anxiety and am recovering from an eating disorder. So like you, my reader, I struggle with loving myself also. Yes, I do have days where I am confident that I'm the next Beyoncé with all my lovely charm and man, when my contour is on point, nothing can hold me back. But I also have days where I feel like everything that could be wrong with me, is wrong, and that I am one of the ugliest human beings on this planet.
That's where we went wrong with self-love though - self-love doesn't equate to beauty. Self-love is feeling good about yourself and being happy/content in all ways, spiritually, mentally and physically. Loving yourself is taking care of yourself on the days when you feel your worst; it's putting on the show that you enjoy binge-watching or the movie that makes you laugh the loudest, grabbing your favorite snack and knowing you'll be more than okay. Side note: we really need to stop saying we're "fine" all the time - it's a lie and you know it.
But to the girl still learning how to love herself: it's okay if it doesn't happen right away. For some of us it takes time and patience. It takes getting to know ourselves on a deeper level. Sometimes it may involve taking yourself on a date once a week (twice if you really want to spoil yourself) and do the things you love without needing others' approval. You can do this alone or with the help of friends. Learning to love yourself is not waiting until you get to a certain weight or do a certain thing, it's not putting off your happiness until you get to a certain point in life - it's being proud of yourself in every accomplishment you do achieve.
So you don't love yourself 100 percent yet? It's okay, I don't either, but know this: one day we will. It's going to take hard work on our part and probably forgiving whatever you need to that's holding you back. You're going to love yourself one day but until then, keep playing your favorite song and dancing around in your room. Take the good days over the bad ones and know you'll get to where you want to be soon enough.
