Sometimes, we expect too much of ourselves. If we do not get that perfect grade in the hardest class that we take, we feel like we have failed ourselves. If we do something that disappoints our parents, we feel like a failure. There are so many different things that make us feel like we have failed. Sometimes, it seems like the world is against us, and we fail to realize all the positives in our lives.

I came by a quote recently that said, "And if I asked you to name all the things you love, how long would it take you to name yourself?" I do not know who said this quote, but it really struck a chord with me. If I were randomly asked to name everything I loved, I honestly would start off with my parents, friends, school, Matthew McConaughey, and so much more, but I honestly do not know when I would name myself.

It almost seems weird to start the list of everything you love with yourself because it is often considered to be too cocky or arrogant when someone says he loves himself. It seems awkward to have yourself on a list of everything you love because it is almost expected, but then you really think about it: how many people do you know say they hate themselves on a daily basis? I know I am guilty of it. When I do something stupid or embarrassing, I say that I hate myself, or I say, "I'm the worst." I know that is not true, but it almost seems I am self-loathing.

That quote really got me thinking about how other people would answer. Would they include themselves on their list? Or would they completely ignore themselves? There is another quote that I love to live by (I love quotes because there is one for every situation) that goes like, "The relationship you have with yourself sets the relationship you will have with others." Again, I do not know who said this, but I know it is accurate. If you love yourself, which I know can be a little weird to admit, you will have loving relationships with others.

If you have a self-loathing and hateful relationship with yourself, then the relationships you have with others will not work out. I think I am in between the two stages because I do not necessarily hate myself, but I know that there are certain aspects of my life that I would like to improve significantly.

I think it is important to treat yourself with respect and love because if you do not do that, no one else will, and how can you expect them to? You are always with yourself. You are the only one who will always be there for you. What you think about yourself reflects on the outside. The relationship you have with yourself shows when you interact with others.

Love yourself. You only have one life, so why spend it at war with yourself? There is so much more to life than hating yourself and wishing you were someone else. You are here for a reason, and it is up to you to figure out what that reason is. Why waste time hating who you are when you can improve?