Love Yourself The Way Your Best Friend Loves You (Revisited)

Flavor of the Day: Homegrown Girl Scout Cookies

Has someone ever hurt you so much that no matter what they do, nothing can rectify their behavior? I feel like it's a part of life because I sure have. Apologies years too late from men who didn't appreciate what they had. They knew. They know. I was better, and I am better. I have never & will never claim to be perfect, but I didn't deserve their treatment. They may have grown, they may be stuck in a rut, but they won't ever feel my warmth again. Too many times with too many faces did I give too many chances. You know the person I don't give enough chances to?

Me.

I talk down to myself when I wouldn't allow a man to do that. I don't stand up when I need to speak my truth. I let people disrespect my boundaries. I tear myself down for any minuscule, thing that I may have done wrong. I don't give myself the credit I should. I am harder on myself than anyone else could ever dream of being. I don't love myself the way my best friend does or the way I love them and you know what?!

That's fucking bullshit.

I deserve to give myself all of the love I give to others. I deserve to take a fucking break when I am overwhelmed or feeling like I'm being burnt at both ends. If I don't work out because I'm sick, it's alright. I may have to start all over again when I feel better, but that's ok. If I don't write for a week because I don't want my angst to show in my writing or I have my own personal things that I don't want to put out to the world, it's most definitely ok. It's still MY life. Yes, I may have a public blog, but it is still ok for me to live my life privately. I deserve to take the advice that I so freely give others and take the time I need, but then get back at it when I am physically and mentally ready. I deserve to love the me that I have worked so hard to become and the me that I am becoming. I even deserve to love the me that is selfish, close-minded, & insecure. That me deserves to be loved by myself even more.

Hurt people hurt people.

Why?

Why can't hurt people, who have known the pain instead wish to never put anyone else through that same torture, including themselves? We have to break the cycle. Why the hell would we want to subject ourselves to even more guilt & frustration than necessary? Our minds are tricky things, but you know what? We are the ones in control of our minds. If we start thinking in a way that isn't benefiting us or our quality of life, its very easy to redirect our thoughts to something else. Why do we not make this a habit? If our anxiety demon or depression demon is screaming in our faces, why can't we just breathe and have faith that it's going to be ok? Because life likes to throw us some real shit, but we get through it.

We don't have faith because so many others have let us down before. (No, I'm not saying that anxiety and depression have easy solutions because I deal with both. I know it's not as easy as Thanos's finger snap at the end of The Avengers: Infinity War.) What about the ones who don't let us down? Why can't we be a part of that and give ourselves the grace we give our best friends when it comes to making a mistake or dealing with a bump in the road? Why is it so ingrained into our brains to be harsh with the person we are closest to? Ourselves.

This week I want you to work with me. When we are breaking our own spirits by being hard on ourselves for something simple, let's work to see the real badass that's in the mirror. Scream some affirmations & do the Wonder Woman pose if you need to. Look at the one who kicked ass just to be where we are and continues to kick ass daily, doing things we never thought we'd be doing at one point in time. Let's cheer for the person who pushed us to be where we are and who we are. Yes, we are still looking in the mirror with kind, loving eyes. We celebrate every one of our people and their accomplishments, and ours are just as admirable. Celebrate yourself! No matter how big or small the achievement is, even if it's just getting out of bed.

Tomorrow is always a new day, and life is Beautiful. Yes, even on the rainy days because that's when you see the rainbows.

So go fucking look at yourself as the Beautiful rainbow you are, standing as a sign of hope during a storm. You fucking did it! You're doing it, and you're amazing. Stop telling yourself differently because it's a fucking lie. Keep striving to be the best you there can be, but also acknowledge and appreciate the you that made you who you are now. It's ok to make mistakes, I promise. Even if it seems like the end of the world, it's not. You're going to get through this hurdle, and while you're in the middle of it, you're still going to be Beautiful and strong. If today was a bad day, that's ok. Shit happens, and that's life, but we can try again tomorrow, and if we are too exhausted to try again tomorrow, that's ok. Resting is good for you.

"You're not going to master the rest of your life in one day.... Just Relax...Master the Day....Then Just Keep Doing That Every Day..."

I feel that quote can be a gentle reminder to all of us.

Just know, I know you're trying your hardest. People see you. They appreciate who you are. Be gentle with yourself because you deserve to love yourself the way you love others.

🖤💋💨