Hello Lovelies,
Here we are again... another Monday. Today I want to talk about something quite personal, and it will be to a lot of you too.
Self-image is something I have talked about before. For as long as I can remember, I feel like it has been a constant roller-coaster of emotions - which I think many of us can struggle with at times.
Love Yourself First.
I am a strong believer, that before anyone else can even begin to love you, you have to love yourself.
It was a long journey for me to get to that place, but now I feel like I can wholly reflect on it with you. It is not just about your exterior self-image, its about your interior self-worth. Over the last 2 years, I have achieved more on this crazy journey than I ever though I would. As I have talked about many times before in several posts, I suffer from GAD/Agoraphobia (amongst other things) and I always felt like it was a barrier holding me back from everything I could be. I think I felt so labelled by it, it decreased my self-esteem so I felt like I couldn't so things I wanted to.
My friends have been my rock through my 'journey' to self belief. My best friend Jade is living proof that you can go from 0% to 100%. From being scared to talk to a shop assistant, she is now the most confident outgoing girl I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
*wraps her up in a motherly hug and wipes a tear*
But to start a journey of recovery from low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, low-self-image, whatever it many be, its a road you have to trek on your own. My point is, doctors, boyfriends, medication, friends, family, are not how you will 'get better'. You shouldn't rely on other things to keep you going.
Waiting for someone else to make you happy is the best way to make you sad.
The people that love you are supposed to be running next to you, and cheering you on at the finish line, but they are not there to pull you along. The journey is one you must do fight alone. If you want to love yourself then you have to do it yourself.
I'm not here preaching that I know everyone's personal situation. But having been through the system and finding myself in pretty much every situation imaginable, I'm telling you what I do know. It's a daunting thought, but its true.
I have conquered to many fears because I did it. No one else. I have braved a huge trigger for me which was airports, talked in front of 800 people in Chicago, modelled, had my work published, and so much more. I used to never even be able to step into a train station.
Its is OKAY to be proud. (Something I also talked about HERE)
The truth is that it's not about getting rid of your insecurities or illness, or whatever it is that hold you back, its about embracing it. Not letting yourself fall into a label. My problems will always be there, its about learning to deal with it, and using it to make you conquer fears. I think it is very important to be honest and open about the things you struggle with; but only in a positive way. People are often worried people will comment on it, but really, if they are taking time to write bad things about your journey and what you have achieved then they are only jealous of how well you are doing. They're the ones that ate still stuck in a rut, dependedent on other things.... this is about your journey.
It is okay to love yourself. Love your insecurities.
I am a firm believer in that you can achieve anything if you only set your mind to it. You. We are all soldiers in the same war, but we fight the battle on our own, and for our own reasons.
This has been a long, rambly (often cheesy) one, but this series has always been about honesty and positivity. I want you all to remember how beautifully special you are; embrace it!
Love yourself first.
Please let me know below or via my links what you love about yourself, and any insecurities you have embraced!
All My Love
♥
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