You have to choose yourself.
Start by not settling for less than you deserve. No matter how many times people try to tell you what you’re worth—only you can decide that. You are not a number; you’re a beautiful human with a beautiful personality.
When in doubt, look in the mirror and smile.
Think about what you love about yourself. You’ve spent years inside your body and have experienced all the amazing things it can do. Each breath you take is worth celebrating—you’ve come so far.
There is and will always be room for you in this world. It’s time you take up space by embracing your potential. Get out of your own way; self-sabotage has no place here.
Stand tall and stay open-minded.
People will reject you. You’ll hear no a thousand times. Hold onto that tiny feeling deep down in the depths of your heart that tells you to be patient. Keep moving forward and with every small step, know you’re making progress.
Take the opportunity to get to know yourself on a deeper level. Tend to those long-forgotten hobbies. Get lost in a good book. Dance to your favorite songs.
Put yourself first and don’t let guilt creep up.
When you spent time with yourself, you’re never alone. Find a way to have fun no matter where you’re at. Find the light in the dark but don’t allow yourself to shrink to make others feel better.
Set boundaries to protect your peace. Some people will see them as walls but they’re not made to be broken down—rather appreciated. If they’re unable to do that, it’s okay to let them go.
People come and go, but the ones meant to stay will unconditionally respect you.
Healing is a process. You don’t have to make others understand your choices if they oppose them. Focus on your journey and remember where you want to go. And if you change your mind along the way, continue trusting your intuition.
In the beginning, choose yourself. In the middle, choose yourself. And at the end, when relationships don’t last, friendships slip away, or your world looks bleakest, choose yourself.